« 


THE;'  ', 

APOCRYPHAL 


NEW    TESTAMENT 


BEING   ALL  THE   GOSPELS,   EPISTLES,   AND 
OTHER   PIECES   NOW   EXTANT, 


1TTRIBUTED  IN  THE  FIRST  FOUR  CENTURIES 

TO 

JESUS  CHRIST, 

HIS  APOSTLES  AND  THEIR  COMPANIONS; 

AND   NOT   INCLUDED,    BY   ITS   COMPILERS,    IN 

THE  AUTHORIZED   NEW  TESTAMENT. 


TRANSLATED   FROM  THE   ORIGINAL    TONGUES. 


ILLUSTRATED  FROM  ANCIENT  PAINTINGS  AND  SCULPTURES. 


[TY 


PHILADELPHIA: 
GEBBIE  &   CO.,   PUBLISHERS. 

COPYRIGHTED, 


/S/fJ 


'P2TI 


^ 


7SRSI 


ORNlK- 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Frontispiece.      Members  of  the  Council   of  Nice  Presenting  their 

Decision  to  the  Emperor  Constantine:  Fourth  Century 1 

The  Emperor  Constantine  Presenting  the  Labors  of  the  Council  of  Nice 

to  Christ  for  his  blessing 10 

The  Birth  of  the  Virgin 17 

Elizabeth  receiving  the  visit  of  Mary 25 

The  Birth  of  Christ 33 

The  Adoration  of  the  Magi 41 

The  Birth  of  John  the  Baptist 49 

The  Presentation  in  the  Temple 57 

Mary  Offering  in  the  Temple 65 

The  Birth  of  Christ 73 

The  Murder  of  the  Innocents 73 

St.  John  the  Baptist 81 

The  Baptism  of  Christ  in  the  Jordan 89 

The  Last  Judgment 97 

Hell 105 

Christ's  Entry  into  Jerusalem,  and  Christ  before  Pilate 113 

The  two  spies  sent  by  Joshua  to  Jericho,  and  their  escape  from  the 

house  from  Bahab 121 

Christ  in  the  Prsetorium  and  mocked,  and  his  Descent  into  Hell  .  .  .  129 
The  Bed  Sea  swallowing  up  the  army  of  Pharaoh,  after  the  Israelites 

had  passed  through >x  •    •    •    •  '  •        •  137 

Christ  Praying  in  the  Garden 145 

Peter  cutting  off  the  ear  of  Malchus,  and  the  kiss  of  Judas 145 

Christ  bearing  his  Cross  to  Golgotha,  followed  by  holy  women  ....  153 

Veronica  afflicted  with  an  issue  of  blood 1G1 

Christ  on  the  Cross  between  the  two  Malefactors 177 

Marriage  of  Cana  in  Galilee 193 

The  Burial  of  Christ 193 

Mary  supporting  the  dead  Christ  on  her  knees 209 

The  Interment  of  Christ 217 

The  Besurrection  of  Christ 225 

Christ  as  a  Gardener  appearing  to  Mary  Magdalene 233 

Jesus  Christ  ascending  to  Heaven  with  two  angels 241 

Jonah  cast  into  the  sea,  and  his  coming  out  of  the  whale 257 


9jJFTER  the  writings  contained  in  the  New  Testament 
were  selected  from  the  numerous  Gospels  and 
Epistles  then  in  existence,  what  became  of  the 
Books  that  were  rejected  by  the  compilers? 

This  question  naturally  occurs  on  every  investigation  as 
to  the  period  when,  and  the  persons  by  whom,  the  New 
Testament  was  formed.  It  has  been  supposed  by  many  that 
the  volume  was  compiled  by  the  first  council  of  Nice,  which, 
according  to  Jortin,*  originated  thus  : 

Alexander,  bishop  of  Alexandria,  and  Arius,  who  was  a 
presbyter  in  his  diocese,  disputed  together  about  the  nature 
of  Christ ;  and  the  bishop  being  displeased  at  the  notions  of 
Arius,  and  finding  that  they  were  adopted  by  other  persons, 
"was  very  angry."  He  commanded  Arius  to  come  over  to 
his  sentiments,  and  to  quit  his  own  :  as  if  a  man  could  change 
his  opinions  as  easily  as  he  can  change  his  coat !  He  then 
called  a  council  of  war,  consisting  of  nearly  a  hundred 
bishops,  and  deposed,  excommunicated,  and  anathematized 
Arius,  and  with  him  several  ecclesiastics,  two  of  whom 
were  bishops.       Alexander   then  wrote  a  circular-letter   to 

*Rem.  on  Eccl.  vol.  ii.,  p.  177. 


IV 

all  bishops,  in  which  he  represents  Arius  and  his  partisans 
as  heretics,  apostates,  blasphemous  enemies  of  God,  full  of 
impudence  and  impiety,  forerunners  of  Antichrist,  imitators 
of  Judas,  and  men  whom  it  was  not  lawful  to  salute,  or  to  bid 
God-speed.  There  is  no  reason  to  doubt  of  the  probity  and 
sincerity  of  those  who  opposed  Alexander  and  the  Nicene 
Fathers;  for  what  did  they  get  by  it  besides  obloquy  and 
banishment  ?  Many  good  men  were  engaged  on  both  sides 
of  the  controversy.  So  it  was  in  the  fourth  century,  and 
so  it  hath  been  ever  since.  Eusebius  of  Nicomedia,  and 
Eusebius  the  historian,  endeavoured  to  pacify  Alexander, 
and  to  persuade  him  to  make  up  the  quarrel ;  and  Con- 
stantine  sent  a  letter  by  the  illustrious  Hosius  of  Corduba 
to  Alexander  and  Arius,  in  which  he  reprimanded  them 
both  for  disturbing  the  church  with  their  insignificant  dis- 
putes. But  the  affair  was  gone  too  far  to  be  thus  composed, 
and  Socrates  represents  both  sides  as  equally  contentious 
and  refractory.  To  settle  this  and  other  points,  the  Nicene 
council  was  summoned,  consisting  of  about  three  hundred 
and  eighteen  bishops, — a  mystical  number*  of  which  many 
profound  remarks  have  been  made.  The  first  thing  they 
did  was  to  quarrel,  and  to  express  their  resentments,  and 
to  present  accusations  to  the  emperor  against  one  another. 
So  say  Socrates,  Sozomen,  and  Rufinus.  Theodoret  favours 
his  brethren  in  this  affair,  and  seems  to  throw  the  fault 
upon  the  laity.  But  the  whole  story,  as  it  is  related  by 
them  all,  and  even  by  Theodoret,  shows  that  the  bishops 
accused   one  another.     The  emperor   burnt   all   their   libels, 

*  Barnabas,  viii.  11,  12,  13. 


and  exhorted  them  to  peace  and  unity;  so  that  if  they 
had  not  been  restrained  by  his  authority,  and  by  fear 
and  respect,  they  would  probably  have  spent  their  time  in 
altercations. 

This  council  of  Nice  is  one  of  the  most  famous  and 
interesting  events  presented  to  us  in  ecclesiastical  history  ; 
and  yet,  what  is  surprising,  scarcely  any  part  of  the  History 
of  the  Church  has  been  unfolded  with  such  negligence,  or 
rather  passed  over  with  such  rapidity.  The  ancient  writers 
are  neither  agreed  with  respect  to  the  time  or  place  in  which 
it  was  assembled,  the  number  of  those  who  sat  in  council, 
nor  the  bishop  who  presided  in  it.  No  authentic  acts  of 
its  famous  sentence  have  been  committed  to  writing,  or  at 
least  none  have  been  transmitted  to  our  time.* 

Although  it  is  uncertain  whether  the  books  of  the  New 
Testament  were  declared  canonical  by  the  Nicene  Council, 
or  by  some  other,  or  when  or  by  whom  they  were  collected 
into  a  volume,  it  is  certain f  that  they  were  considered  genu- 
ine and  authentic  (with  a  few  variations  of  opinion  as  to 
some  of  them)  by  the  most  early  Christian  writers;  and 
that  they  were  selected  from  various  other  Gospels  and 
Epistles,  the  titles  of  which  are  mentioned  in  the  works 
of  the  Fathers  and  early  historians  of  the  church. J  The 
books  that  exist,  of  those  not  included  in  the  canon,  are 
carefully  brought  together  in  the  present  volume.  They 
patnrally  assume  the  title  of  the  Apocryphal  New  Testament; 
and  he  who  possesses  this  and  the  New  Testament,  has  in 
the   two  volumes,  a  collection  of   all   the   historical   records 

*  Mosheim,  Eccl.  Hist.,  c.  v.  \  12. 

f  See  Table  II.  at  the  end  of  this  work.     %  See  Table  I.  at  end. 


relative  to  Christ  and  his  Apostles,  now  in  existence,  and 
considered  sacred  by  Christians  during  the  first  four  cen- 
turies after  his  birth. 

In  a  complete  collection  of  the  Apocryphal  writings  the 
Apostles'  Creed  is  necessarily  included,  and  as  necessarily 
given,  as  it  stood  in  the  fourth  and  until  the  sixth  century, 
(from  Mr.  Justice  Bailey's  edition  of  the  Common  Prayer 
Book),  without  the  article  of  Christ's  Descent  into  Hell; 
— an  interpolation  concerning  which  the  author  of  the 
Preface  to  the  Catalogue  of  the  MSS.  of  the  King's  Library 
thus  expresses  himself:  "I  wish  that  the  insertion  of  the 
article  of  Christ's  Descent  into  Hell  into  the  Apostles'  Creed 
could  be  as  well  accounted  for  as  the  insertion  of  the  said 
verse  (1  John  v.  7*). 


*  Catalogue  of  MSS.  of  the  king's  library,  by  David  Casly,  4to,  in  Pref. 
p.  xxiv.  For  large  particulars  of  Christ's  Descent  into  Hell,  see  the  Gospel 
of  Nicodemus,  chap.  xiii.  to  xx. 

The  verse  above  alluded  to  by  Mr.  Casly  is  1  John,  v.  7.  This  spurious 
passage,  in  the  authorized  version  of  the  New  Testament,  printed  by  the 
Universities  of  Oxford  and  Cambridge  and  the  King's  Printers,  and 
appointed  to  be  read  in  churches,  stands  thus :  "For  there  are  three  that  bear 
record  in  Heaven,  the  Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  these  three  are 
one."  This  verse,  Mr.  Casly  says,  is  now  generally  given  up  ;  being  in  no 
Greek  MS.  save  one  at  Berlin,  which  is  discovered  to  have  been  transcribed 
from  the  printed  Biblia  Complutensia ;  and  another  modern  one  at  Dublin, 
probably  translated  or  corrected  from  the  Latin  Vulgate.  It  is  conjectured 
that  it  may  have  been  inserted  by  the  mistake  of  a  Latin  copyist:  for  the 
owners  of  MSS.  often  wrote  glosses  or  paraphrases  of  particular  passages 
between  the  lines,  and  ignorant  transcribers  sometimes  mistook  these  notes 
for  interlined  omissions  by  the  original  scribes,  and  accordingly  in  re-copy- 
ing the  MSS.  incorporated  these  glosses  or  paraphrases  into  the  body  of  the 
text.  For  instance,  Jerome,  in  one  of  his  letters,  says  that  an  explanatory 
note  which  he  himself  had  made  in  the  margin  of  his  Psalter  had  been 
incorporated  by  some  transcriber  into  the  text ;  and  Dr.  Bentley,  in  the  96th 
page  of  his  Epistle,  annexed  to  Malala's  Chronicle,  has  proved  "Etva  opo$ 
eariv  ev  rn  Apa^ig,  in  Galatians  iv.  25,  to  be  of  the  same  stamp.f 

f  Cat.  King's  Libr.  Pref.  p.  xxi. 


Vll 


u  The  best  that  can  be  said  for  it  is,  that  it  might  possibly 
have  come  in,  in  like  manner,  not  long  before,  from  a  gloss 


It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  tell  the  reader,  that  in  1516  and  1519  Erasmus 
published  his  first  and  second  editions  of  the  Greek  Testament,  both  of 
which  omitted  the  three  heavenly  witnesses.  That  having  promised  to  insert 
them  in  his  text,  if  they  were  found  iu  a  single  Greek  MS. ;  he  was  soon 
informed  of  the  existence  of  such  a  MS.  in  England,  and  consequently 
inserted  1  John,  v.  7,  in  his  third  edition,  1522.  That  this  MS.,  after  a 
profound  sleep  of  two  centuries,  has  at  last  been  found  in  the  library  of 
Trinity  College,  Dublin.  That  the  Complutensian  edition,  which  was  not 
published  till  1522,  though  it  professes  to  be  printed  in  1514,  has  the 
seventh  and  eighth  verses  patched  up  from  the  modern  Latin  MS.,  and  the 
final  clause  of  the  eighth  verse,  which  is  omitted  in  its  proper  place,  trans- 
ferred to  the  end  of  the  seventh.  That  Colinseus,  in  1534,  omitted  the  verse  on 
the  faith  of  MS.  That  E.  Stephens,  in  his  famous  edition  of  1550,  inserted 
the  verse,  and  marked  the  words  ev  tuc  ovpavut.  as  wanting  in  seven  MSS. 
That  Beza,  suspecting  no  mistake,  concluded  that  these  seven  MSS.  contained 
the  rest  of  the  seventh  verse,  and  the  eighth  with  the  words  ev  ttji  yrji* 

Sir  Isaac  Newton  wrote  a  Dissertation  upon  this  passage,  wherein  he  gave 
a  clear,  exact,  and  comprehensive  view  of  the  whole  question,  and  wherein 
he  says,  that  when  the  adversaries  of  Erasmus  had  got  the  date.f 

The  text  is  not  contained  in  any  Greek  manuscript  which  was  written 
earlier  than  the  fifteenth  century.  2.  Nor  in  any  Latin  manuscript  earlier 
than  the  ninth  century.  3.  It  is  not  found  in  any  of  the  ancient  versions. 
4.  It  is  not  cited  by  any  of  the  Greek  ecclesiastical  writers,  though,  to 
prove  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  they  have  cited  the  words  both  before  and 
after  this.  5.  It  is  not  cited  by  any  of  the  early  Latin  Fathers,  even  when 
the  subjects  upon  which  they  treat  would  naturally  have  led  them  to  appeal 
to  its  authority.  6.  It  is  first  cited  by  Vigilius  Tapsensis,  a  Latin  writer 
of  no  credit,  in  the  latter  end  of  the  fifth  century,  and  by  him  it  is  suspected 
to  have  been  forged.  7.  It  has  been  admitted  as  spurious  in  many  editions 
of  the  New  Testament  since  the  reformation : — in  the  first  two  of  Erasmus, 
in  those  of  Aldus  Colinteus,  Zwinglius,  and  lately  of  Griesbach.  8.  It  was 
omitted  by  Luther  in  his  German  version ;  in  the  old  English  Bibles  of 
Henry  VIII.,  Edward  VI.,  and  Elizabeth,  it  was  printed  in  small  types,  or 
included  in  brackets  ;  but  between  the  years  1566  and  1580,  it  began  to  be 
printed  as  it  now  stands,  by  whose  authority  is  not  known. — (See  Travis's 
Letters   to  Gibbon,  and   Porson's  to   Travis.    Also   Griesbach's  excellent 

*  Porson's  Letters  to  Travis.    Preface.' 

t  Newton's  works  by  Horsley,  4to,  vol.  v.  p.  549  —Bishop  Horsley,  in  his  edition  of 
Sir  Isaac  Newton's  works,  has  not  included  several  MSS.  on  theological  subjects  for 
the  reasons  which  perhaps  induce  the  nobleman  in  whose  possession  they  remain  to 
withhold  them  still  from  publication.  His  lordship's  judgment  in  this  respect  is  said 
to  be  influenced  by  a  prelate  whose  notions  do  not  accord  either  with  Sir  Isaac's 
opinions  or  criticisms.  They  are  fairly  transcribed,  in  the  illustrious  author's  own 
hand-writing,  ready  for  the  press ;  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  production  of  his 
luminous  mind  be  suppressed  by  any  censorship,  however  respectable. 


vm 

or  paraphrase,  that  was  at  first  put  in  the  margin  or  between 
the  lines." 


Dissertation  on  the  Text  at  the  end  of  his  second  volume.  Archbishop 
Newcome  omits  the  text,  and  the  Bishop  of  Lincoln  expresses  his  conviction 
that  it  is  spurious.     (Elem.  of  Theol.  vol.  ii.  p.  90,  note).* 

In  a  sumptuous  Latin  MS.  of  the  Bible,  written  so  late  as  the  thirteenth 
century,  formerly  belonging  to  the  Capuchin  Convent  at  Montpelier,  after- 
wards in  the  possession  of  Harley,  Earl  of  Oxford,  and  now  deposited  in 
the  British  Museum,  the  verse  of  the  three  heavenly  witnesses  is  wanting,  as 
appears  by  the  following  literal  extract  from  it : 


lie  est  qui  tteitit  per  aquam  ($  sanpinem.  tlje  rpeT 
$ton  in  oq  solum,  seb  in  aqua  (3  sanpinem  (3  sjnu 
spe  est  qui  testificatuF  quoniam  rpe  est  Ijerttas. 
(Quoniam  tres  sunt,  qui  testimonium  bant  in  tra.  Spe* 
aqua.  (3  sanguis,    ft  tres  unum  sunit 


The  following  Greek  and  Latin  authors  have  not  quoted  the  text:  J 

Greek  authors: — Irenseus — Clemens  Alexandrinus — Dionysius  Alexandri- 
nus,  (or  the  writer  against  Paul  of  Samosata  under  his  name) — Athanasius 
— The  Synopsis  of  Scripture — The  Synod  of  Sardica— Epiphanius— Basil — 
Alexander  of  Alexandria — Gregory  Nyssen — Nazianzen,  with  his  two  com- 
mentators, Elias  Cretensis  and  Nicetas — Didymus  de  Spiritu  Sancto — Chry- 
sostome — An  author  under  his  name  de  sancta  et  consubstantiali  Trinitate — 
Csesarius — Proclus — The  Council  of  Nice,  as  it  is  represented  by  Gelasius 
Cyzicenus— Hyppolytus — Andrias— Six  catenae  quoted  by  Simon— The  mar- 
ginal scholia  of  three  MSS. — Hesychius— John  Damascenus— Oecumenius 
— Euthymius  Zigabenus. 

Latin  authors :— The  author  de  Baptismo  Lfereticorum,  among  Cyprian's 
works — Novatian-Hilary— Lucifer  Calazitanus — Jerome— Augustine — Am- 
brose—Faustinus Leo  Magnus— The  author  de  Promissis — Eucherius — 

Facundus — Cerealis  —  Rusticus  —  Bede — Gregory  —  Philastrius  —  Arnobius, 
junior — Pope  Eusebius. 

It  is  evident  that  if  the  text  of  the  heavenly  vntnesses  had  been  known  from 
the  beginning  of  Christianity,  the  ancients  would  have  eagerly  seized  it, 
inserted  it  in  their  creeds,  quoted  it  repeatedly  against  the  heretics,  and 
selected  it  as  the  brightest  ornament  of  every  book  that  they  wrote  upon  the 

*  Improved  version  of  the  New  Testament,  IS1^. 

t  Hakl.  Coll.  MSS.  Cod.  4773.  J  Porson's  Letters  to  Travis,  p.  363. 


By  the  publication  of  this  volume,  the  Editor  conceives 
he  has  rendered  an  acceptable  service  to  the  theological 
student  and  the  ecclesiastical  antiquary; — he  has  endeavoured 
to  render  it  more  gratifying  to  the  reader,  and  more  con- 
venient for  reference,  by  arranging  the  books  into  chapters, 
and  dividing  the  chapters  into  verses.  He  has  only  to  add, 
that  the  lover  of  old  literature  will  here  find  the  obscure 
but  unquestionable  origin  of  several  remarkable  relations  in 
the   Golden   Legend,    the   Lives  of    the   Saints,  and    similar 

subject  of  the  Trinity.  In  short,  if  this  verse  be  really  genuine,  notwith- 
standing its  absence  from  all  the  visible  Greek  MSS.  except  two,  one  of 
which  awkwardly  translates  the  verse  from  the  Latin,  and  the  other  tran- 
scribes it  from  a  printed  book;  notwithstanding  its  absence  from  all  the 
versions  except  the  vulgate  ;  and  even  from  many  of  the  best  and  oldest 
MSS.  of  the  vulgate ;  notwithstanding  the  deep  and  dead  silence  of 
all  the  Greek  writers  down  to  the  thirteenth,  and  most  of  the  Latins  down 
to  the  middle  of  the  eighth  century ;  if,  in  spite  of  all  these  objections,  it  be 
still  genuine,  no  part  of  Scripture  whatsoever  can  be  proved  either  spurious 
or  genuine  ;  and  Satan  has  been  permitted,  for  many  centuries,  miraculously 
to  banish  the  finest  passage  in  the  N.  T.  from  the  eyes  and  memories  of 
almost  all  the  Christian  authors,  translators,  and  transcribers.* 

Sir  Isaac  Newton  observes,  "  that  what  the  Latins  have  done  to  this  text 
(1  John  v.  7),  the  Greeks  have  done  to  that  of  St.  Paul  (Timothy  iii.  16). 
For  by  changing  o  into  8  the  abbreviation  of  8eoc,  they  now  read,  Great  is 
the  mystery  of  Godliness:  God  manifested  in  the  flesh:  whereas  all  the  churches 
for  the  first  four  or  five  hundred  years,  and  the  authors  of  all  the  ancient 
versions,  Jerome,  as  well  as  the  rest,  read,  '  Great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness 
which  was  manifested  in  the  flesh.'  "  Sir  Isaac  gives  a  list  of  authors,  who,  he 
says,  "wrote  all  of  them,  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  centuries  for  the  Deity  of 
the  Son,  and  incarnation  of  God  ;  and  some  of  them  largely,  and  in  several 
tracts;  and  yet,"  he  says,  ''  I  cannot  find  that  they  ever  allege  this  text  to 
prove  it,  excepting  that  Gregory  Nyssenf  once  urges  it,  (if  the  passage  crept 
not  into  him  out  of  some  marginal  annotation).  In  all  the  times  of  the  hot 
and  lasting  Arian  controversy,  it  never  came  into  play ;  though  now  these 
disputes  are  over,  they  that  read  God  made  manifest  in  the  flesh,  think  Sir 
Isaac  says,  "  one  of  the  most  obvious  and  pertinent  texts  for  the  business." 

There  are  other  interpolations  and  corruptions  of  passages  in  the  New 
Testament,  but  the  Editor  perceives  that  the  few  observations  he  has  hastily 
collected  and  thrown  together  in  this  note,  have  already  extended  it  to  undue 
length,  and  it  must  here  close. 

*  Porson's  Letters  to  Travis,  8vo,  p.  402. 
■^  Oiat.  xi  Contra  Eunom. 


productions,  concerning  the  birth  of  the  Virgin,  her  marriage 
with  Joseph,  on  the  budding  of  his  rod,  the  nativity  of  Jesus, 
the  miracles  of  his  Infancy,  his  labouring  with  Joseph  at 
the  carpentry  trade,  and  the  actions  of  his  followers.  Several 
of  the  papal  pageants  for  the  populace,  and  the  monkish 
mysteries  performed  as  dramas  at  Chester,  Coventry,  New- 
castle, and  in  other  parts  of  England,  are  almost  verbatim 
representations  of  the  stories.  Many  valuable  pictures  by 
the  best  masters — prints  by.  the  early  engravers,  particularly 
of  the  Italian  and  German  schools — wood  cuts  in  early  black 
letter,  and  black  books  —  and  illumination  of  missals  and 
monastic  MSS. — receive  immediate  elucidation  on  referring 
to  the  Apocryphal  New  Testament,  and  are  without  explana- 
tion from  any  other  source. 


THE   EMPEROR  CONSTANTINE  PRESENTING  THE   LABORS  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  NICE  TO 
CHRIST   FOR   HIS   BLESSING.  [Page  14. 


.FROM    AN   EARLY   GREEK     MANUSCRIPT. 


"" 


5*HE 

ORDER  OF  ALL  THE  BOOKS 

OF  THE 

APOCRYPHAL  NEW  TESTAMENT, 


Their  proper  Names  and  Number  of  Chapters. 


11TARY  hath  Chapters 
JJ-L  protevangelion 

I.  Infancy  .... 

II.  Infancy  .... 
Christ  and  Abgarus 
The  Apostles'  Creed 
Laodiceans  .    .    . 
Paul  and  Seneca 
Paul  and  Thecla 

I.  Corinthians    . 

II.  Corinthians    . 
Barnabas     .    .    . 


16 

22 

4 

22 

1 

1 

14 

12 

23 

4 

15 


Ephesians  hath  Chapters  .    4 

Magnesians 4 

Trallians 4 

Romans 3 

Philadelphians 3 

Smyrnseans      3 

Polycarp 3 

y  Philippians 4 

I.  Hernias — Visions  ...    4 

II.  Hernias — Commands  .  12 

III.  Hernias — Similitudes  .  10 


diversity; 

PREFACE 

TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 


Although  the  Apocryphal,  New  Testament  was  pat  out  without 
pretension  or  ostentations  announcement,  or  even  solicitude  for  its  fate,  yet  a 
large  Edition  has  been  sold  in  a  few  months.  The  Public  demanding  an- 
other, to  this  second  Edition  a  small  fragment  of  the  Second  Epistle  of 
Clement  to  the  Corinthians,  accidentally  omitted,  has  been  added  ;  it  forms 
the  fifth  chapter  of  that  Epistle.  There  is,  likewise  annexed,  a  Table  of  the 
years  wherein  all  the  Books  of  the  New  Testament  are  stated  to  have  been 
written :  to  the  •'  Order  of  the  Books  of  the  Apocryphal  New  Testa- 
ment," the  authorities  from  whence  they  have  been  taken  are  affixed ;  andj 
finally,  many  errors  in  the  numerous  scriptural  references  subjoined  in  the 
notes  to  the  Epistles  have  been  corrected.  These  are  the  only  material  vari- 
ations from  the  first  Edition. 

It  escaped  the  Editor  to  notice  that  the  legends  of  the  Koran  and  the  Hin- 
doo Mythology  are  considerably  connected  with  this  volume.  Many  of  the 
acts  and  miracles  ascribed  to  the  Indian  God,  Creeshna,  during  his  incarna- 
tion, are  precisely  the  same  with  those  attributed  to  Christ  in  his  infancy,  by 
the  Apocryphal  Gospels,  and  so  largely  particularized  by  the  Bcv.  Thomas 
Maurice  in  his  learned  History  of  Hindostan. 

Beference  to  the  preceding  Preface  will  leave  little  doubt  that  the  Apo- 
cryphal writings  formed  an  interesting  portion  of  the  lay,  as  well  as  the 
monkish  literature  of  our  forefathers.  There  is  a  Translation  of  the  Gospel 
of  Nicodemus  almost  coeval  with  the  origin  of  printing  in  England ;  (a)  and 
ancient  MSS.  of  the  Gospels  of  the  Infancy  are  still  extant  in  the  Welsh  lan- 
guage under  the  title  of  Mabinogi  Jesu  Grist. 

Concerning  any  genuineness  of  any  portion  of  the  work,  the  Editor  has 
not  offered  an  opinion,  nor  is  it  necessary  that  he  should.  The  brief  notice 
at  the  head  of  each  Gospel  directs  the  reader  to  its  source,  and  will  assist  him 
to  inquire  further,  and  form  an  opinion  for  himself.  Yet  respecting  the 
Epistles,  which  commence  at  page  91,  and  occupy  the  remaining  two-thirds 
of  the  volume,  the  Editor  would  call  attention  to  Archbishop  Wake's  testi- 

(a)  It  was  printed,  in  quarto,  first  by  JMsnfttm  fee  HJ3ortie  in  1509;  next  by  3oIjn  Sfcot  in 
1525;  by  the^same  printer  subsequently;  and  several  times  afterwards. 

xii 


PREFACE   TO   THE   SECOND    EDITION.  xiii 

mony.  The  pious  and  learned  Prelate  says,  that  these  Epistles  («)  are  a  full 
and  perfect  collection  of  "all  the  genuine  writings  that  remain  to  us.  of  the 
Apostolic  Fathers,  and  carry  on  the  antiquity  of  the  Church  from  the  time 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  New  Testament  to  about  a  hundred  and  fifty 
years  after  Christ;  that  except  the  Holy  Scriptures,  there  is  nothing  remain- 
ing of  the  truly  genuine  Christian  antiquity  more  early  ;  (b)  that  they  contain 
all  that  can  with  any  certainty  be  depended  upon  of  the  most  Primitive 
Fathers,  (c)  who  had  not  only  the  advantage  of  living  in  the  apostolical  times, 
of  hearing  the  Holy  Apostles,  and  conversing  with  them,  but  were  most  of 
them  persons  of  a  very  eminent  character  in  the  church,  too :  (d)  that  we 
cannot  with  any  reason  doubt  of  what  they  deliver  to  us  as  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  but  ought  to  receive  it,  if  not  with  equal  veneration,  yet  but  a  little 
less  respect  than  we  do  the  Sacred  Writings  of  those  who  were  their  masters 
and  instructors;"  and,  ''if,"  says  the  Archbishop,  (who  translated  these 
Epistles),  (e)  ''it  shall  be  asked  how  I  came  to  choose  the  drudgery  of  a 
translator,  rather  than  the  more  ingenious  part  of  publishing  somewhat  of 
my  own  composing,  it  was,  in  short,  this  ;  because  I  hoped  that  such  writ- 
ings as  these  would  find  a  more  general  and  unprejudiced  acceptance  with  all 
sorts  of  men  than  anything  that  could  be  written  by  any  one  now  living." 

As  a  literary  curiosity,  the  work  has  attracted  much  notice  ;  as  throwing  a 
light  upon  the  arts  of  design  and  engraving,  it  has  already  been  useful  to  the 
painter,  and  the  collector  of  pictures  and  prints ;  and,  as  relating  to  theology, 
it  has  induced  various  speculations  and  inquiry. 

But  the  Editor  has  been  charged  with  expressing  too  little  veneration  for 
the  councils  of  the  Church.  He  feels  none.  It  is  true  that  respecting  the 
three  hundred  Bishops  assembled  at  the  council  of  Nice,  the  Emperor  Con- 
stantine  (/)  says,  that  what  was  approved  by  these  Bishops  could  be  nothing 
less  than  the  determination  of  God  himself;  since  the  Holy  Spirit  residing  in 
such  great  and  worthy  souls,  unfolded  to  them  the  divine  will,  (g)  Yet  Sa- 
binus,  the  Bishop  of  Heraclea,  affirms,  that,  "excepting  Constan tine  himself? 
and  Eusebius  Pamphilus,  they  were  a  set  of-  illiterate  simple  creatures,  that 
understood  nothing ;  "  and  Pappus  seems  to  have  estimated  them  very  low, 
for  in  his  Synodicon  to  that  council,  he  tells  us,  that  having  "  promiscuously 
put  all  the  books  that  were  referred  to  the  council  for  determination,  under 
*.he  communion  table  in  a  church,  they  besought  the  Lord  that  the  inspired 
writings  might  get  upon  the  table  while  the  spurious  ones  remained  under- 
neath, and  that  it  happened  accordingly."  A  commentator  (h)  on  this 
legend  suggests  that  nothing  less  than  such  a  sight  could  sanctify  that  fiery 
zeal  which  breathes  throughout  an  edict  published  by  Constantine,  in  which 
he  decrees  that  all  the  writings  of  Arius  should  be  burned  and  that  any  per- 
son concealing  any  writing  composed  by  him,  and  not  immediately  producing 
it,  and  committing  it  to  the  flames,  should  be  punished  with  death,  (i)  Let 
us,  with  the  illustrious  Jortin,  (k)  consider  a  council  called,  and  presided  over 

(a)  Ahp.  Wake's  Apostolic  Fathers,  Bagster's  Edition,  8vo,  1817,  Prelim.  Disc,  p.  120. 

(6)  Ahp.  Wake's  Apostolic  Fathers,  Bagster's  Edition,  8vo,  Prelim.  Disc,  p.  120. 

W  p-  126.  (<i)  p.  128. 

(e)  p.  155.  (/)  Socrates,  Schol.  Eccl.  Hist.  b.  i.  9.  (g)  Ibid,  c  9. 

(h)  Mace's  N.  Test.,  p.  875.  (i)  Socrates,  Schol.  Eccl.  Hist.  b.  i.  c.  9. 

(k)  Rem.  on  Eccl.  Hist.  vol.  ii.  p.  177. 


xiv 


PREFACE   TO   THE   SECOND   EDITION. 


calumniated,  reviled,  hated    ana  lemat  L       g  WicS' and  of  being 

banished,  fined,  be^ired   served     fT^'r  e*C°mmunicated>  imprisoned, 

vanity  and  ambition;  by  a  total  ignorance  of 
total  indifference  about  it;  by  private  friend. 


jority;  b7  a  love  of  dieting  anddom7ne^:W,ni?  *  ^  "^ 

attending,  and  a  desire  to  be  at  home;  by  the 

hatred  of  contention,   &c   (a)     Whosoever 

lisposed  to  pay  a  blind 

the  last  in  winch  the  Holy  Spirit  my  be  affirmed  to  have  presided"  (6 
In  accommodation  to  this  opinion,  the   Church  of  FnoLT  u 

S  *n  "^ to  the  foiiowing  am°^  Sri^sia*  £ 

.g.on  '(c)     -When  general  councils   be  gathered  together,   fo  asmueh  as" 

Sof  airr y  men'  ;vhereof  an  be  not  *™»*  «*  *•  3S5 

will  of  God  they  may  err,  and  sometimes  have  erred   even  in  fM„„  • 


of  fathers,  councils  and  hierarchies,  and  the  encumbering  edi  ta  °„  60  d  r 
k.ngs  and  papal  decretals.     Charmed  bv  the  loveliness  of  its  primitive  slm^ 

was  sometimes  assembled  and  sometimes  dissoh fed  Brent a rr?  f  "V?1™  "^ 
tory  of  that  Council  savs,  "it  would  be  infinite        1  '     translator  of  Paul's  His- 

Rome  used  to  divert  the'counci,  b^rVif  b^an  £?  £j ^ ™  ^  ^  " 
the  proposing  of  those  things  which  they  thought  wouH  dimin sn  thet  t  »  n 

P^/^^  -*  to  earth,, 

instrument  of  their  tempora.  authority  theirTul^  SU^^Sf"" 
crease  of  religion,  and  love  and  charity  towards  their  neigh  Ws-butfl  ,  '  "" 
among  Christians,  and  employing  all  arts  and  snares  ZlZl  Anting  wars 

fnahng  neu,  laws  against  thepople.     Hence  Uiey  wer no  W  '  7  ^^  and 

the  powerful  name  of  religi^they  mainlaS  the"^  horl  ty  ^tlt^  * 

(6)  Jortin's  Rem.  on  Eecl.  Hist ,  vol.  ii.  p.  177.  (c)  Art  xxl 


PREFACE   TO   THE   SECOND    EDITION.  XV 

plicity,  every  sincere  human  heart  will  become  a  temple  for  its  habitation 
and  every  man  becomes  a  priest  unto  himself.  Thus,  and  thus  only,  will  be 
established  the  religion  of  Him,  who,  having  the  same  interest  with  ourselves 
in  the  welfare  of  mankind,  left  us,  for  the  rule  of  our  happiness,  the  sum  and 
substance  of  his  code  of  peace  and  good  will-"  Whatsoever  ye  would  that 
men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them. 

By  some  persons  of  the  multitude,  commonly  known  by  the  name  of 
Christians,  and  who  profess  to  suppose  they  do  God  service  by  calling 
themselves  so,  the  Editor  has  been  attacked  with  a  malignity  and  fury  that 
would  have  graced  the  age  of  Mary  and  Elizabeth,  when  Catholics  put  to 
death  Protestants,  and  Protestants  put  to  death  Catholics,  for  the  sake  of  him 
who  commanded  mankind  to  love  one  another.  To  these  assailants,  he  owes 
no  explanation ;  to  the  craft  of  disingenuous  criticism,  he  offers  no  reply ;  to 
the  bolt  of  the  Bigot,  and  the  shaft  of  the  Shrinemaker,  he  scarcely  con- 
descends the  opposition  of  a  smile. 


ORDER  OF  ALL  TIIE  BOOKS  OF  THE  APOCRYPHAL  NEW  TESTAMENT. 


Mary  hath  .... 
Protevangelion  .    . 

I.  Infancy  .... 

II.  Infancy     .    .    . 
Christ  and  Abgarus 


ISFicodemus 

Apostles'    Creed   in    its 
ancient  state   .... 


Apostles'    Creed   in   its 
present   state    .    .    .    . 


Laodiceans 


Paul  and  Seneca   .    . 


Paul  and  Thecla 


I.  Corinthians  .... 

II.  Corinthians  .... 

Barnabas     

Ephesians 

Magnesians    .    .    t   .    . 

Trallians 

Romans 

Philadelphians  .... 

Smyrnseans 

Polycarp 

Philippians 

I.  Ilermas — Visions  .    . 

II.  Hermas— Commands 

III.  Hermas  —  Simili- 
tudes     


No.  of 

i- hap. 

Page. 

8 

17 

1G 

24 

22 

33 

4 

GO 

o 

G2 

22 

G3 

1 

91 

1 

93 

1 

94 

14 

95 

11 

99 

24 

112 

5 

139 

15 

145 

4 

1C6 

4 

172 

3 

175 

3 

178 

3 

182 

3 

185 

3 

189 

4 

192 

4 

197 

12 

212 

80 

228 

In  the  works  of  St.  Jerome,  a  Father 
of  the  Church,  who  died  A.  D.  420. 

Postellus  brought  the  MS.  from  the  Le- 
vant, translated  it  into  Latin,  and  caused 
it  to  be  printed  at  Zuricli,  in  1552. 

Received  by  the  Gnostics,  a  set  of  Chris- 
tians in  the  second  Century,  and  translated 
into  English  by  Mr.  Henry  Sikc,  Oriental 
Professor  at  Cambridge,  in  1097. 

Printed  by  Professor  Cotelerius,in  a  note 
to  his  works  of  the  Apostolic  Fathers,  from 
a  MS.  in  the  King  of  France's  Library,  No. 
2279,  and  Bishop  of  Coesarea,  A.D.  315. 

Preserved  by  Eusebius,  one  of  the  Coun- 
cil cf  Nice  in  his  Ecclesiastical  History, 
Book  I.  chap.  13. 

Published  by  Professor  Grynseus,  in  the 
Orthodoxographia,  1555,  torn.  ii.  p.  G43. 

Without  the  articles  of  Christfs  Descent 
into  Hell  and  the  Communion  of  iSaints.  See 
it  thus  handed  down  in  Mr.  Justice  Bai- 
ley's Edition  of  the  Book  of  Common 
Prayer,  8vo,  1813,  p.  9,  note.  Also  in 
Bingham's  Antiquities  of  the  Christian 
Church,  folio,  1726,  B.  10,  c.  4,  s.  12. 

In  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  of  the 
Church  of  England. 

From  Ancient  MSS.  in  the  Sorbonne 
and  the  Library  of  Ioannes  a  Viridario  at 
Padua.  See  also  Poole's  Annotations  on 
Col.  iv.  16,  and  Harl.  MSS.  Cod.  1212. 

Jerome  ranks  Seneca  on  account  of  these 
Epistles  among  the  holy  writers  of  the 
Church.  They  are  preserved  by  Sixtus 
Senensis,  in  his  Bibliolheque,  p.  89,  90. 

From  the  Greek  MS.  in  the  Bodleian 
Library,  copied  by  Dr.  Mills,  and  trans- 
mitted to  Dr.  Grabe,  who  edited  and 
printed  it  in  his  Spccilegium. 

These  are  "The  Genuine  Epistles  of 
the  Apostolic  Fathers;  being,  together  with 
the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  N  ew  Testament 
a  complete  collection  of  the  most  primitive  An- 
tiquity for  about  a  hundred  and  fifty  years 
after  Christ.  Translated  and  published  with 
a  large  preliminary  discourse  relating  to  the 
several  Treatiscsby  the  most  Reverend  Father 
in  God,  William,  (Wake)  Lord  Bishop  of 
Lincoln,"  afterwards  Lurd  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury.  The  authorities  and  proofs 
adduced  by  this  erudite  and  honest  pre- 
late will  be  found  in  great  number  in  the 
introduction  and  discourses  to  the  Edi- 
tion of  the  Archbishop's  Translation  of 
these  Epistles,  published  in  1817,  by  Mr. 
Bagster,  Paternoster  Row. 


Note.— Column  1  cohtains  the  proper  names  of  the  Books ;  col.  2theNo.  of  chapters  in 
each ;  col.  3  the  page  whereon  each  Book  commences;  col.  4  the  authorities  for  each 
briefly  stated. 


Mite  mi 

Urn, so'//  ti 


[l\Pf\U^ 


yippa 


THE    BIRTH    OF  THE  VIRGIN.  [Page  19. 

FROM    A    GREEK    DIPTYCHON   OF   THE   THIRTEENTH    OR    FOURTEENTH    CENTURY. 


THE 


Jljwrwijtti  leu)  Ccstttmcnt 


The  GOSPEL  of  the  BIRTH  OF  MARY. 

[In  the  primitive  ages"  there  was  a  Gospel  extant  bearing  this  name,  attri- 
buted to  St.  Matthew,  and  received  as  genuine  and  authentic  by  several 
of  the  ancient  Christian  sects.  It  is  to  be  found  in  the  works  of  Jerome, 
a  Father  of  the  Church,  who  flourished  in  the  fourth  century,  from 
whence  the  present  translation  is  made.  His  contemporaries,  Epipha- 
nius,  Bishop  of  Salamis,  and  Austin,  also  mention  a  Gospel  under  this 
title.  The  ancient  copies  differed  from  Jerome's,  for  from  one  of  them 
the  learned  Faustus,  a  native  of  Britain,  who  became  Bishop  of  Eiez,  in 
Provence,  endeavoured  to  prove  that  Christ  was  not  the  Son  of  God  till 
after  his  baptism ;  and  that  he  was  not  of  the  house  of  David  and  tribe 
of  Judah,  because,  according  to  the  Gospel  he  cited,  the  Virgin  herself 
was  not  of  this  tribe,  but  of  the  tribe  of  Levi;  her  father  being  a  priest 
of  the  name  of  Joachim.  It  was  likewise  from  this  Gospel  that  the 
sect  of  the  Collyridians,  established  the  worship  and  offering  of  raan- 
chet  bread  and  cracknels,  or  fine  wafers,  as  sacrifices  to  Mary,  whom 
they  imagined  to  have  been  born  of  a  Virgin,  as  Christ  is  related  in 
the  Canonical  Gospel  to  have  been  born  of  her.  Epiphanius  likewise 
cites  a  passage  concerning  the  death  of  Zacharias,  which  is  not  in 
Jerome's  copy,  viz.  ''  That  it  was  the  occasion  of  the  death  of  Zacharias 
in  the  temple,  that  when  he  had  seen  a  vision,  he,  through  surprise,  was 
willing  to  disclose  it,  and  his  mouth  was  stopped.  That  which  he  saw 
was  at  the  time  of  his  offering  incense,  and  it  was  a  man  standing  in  the 
form  of  an  ass.  When  he  was  gone  out,  and  had  a  mind  to  speak  thus 
to  the  people,  Woeunto  you,  whom  do  yeivorship?  he  who  had  appeared 
to  him  in  the  temple  took  away  the  use  of  his  speech.  Afterwards 
when  he  recovered  it,  and  was  able  to  speak,  he  declared  this  to  the 
Jews,  and  they  slew  him.  They  add  (viz.  the  Gnostics  in  this  book), 
that  on  this  very  account  the  high-priest  was  appointed  by  their  lawgiver 
(by  God  to  Moses),  to  carry  little  bells,  that  whensoever  he  went  into 
the  temple  to  sacrifice,  he,  whom  they  worshipped,  hearing  the  noise  of 
the  bells,  might  have  time  enough  to  hide  himself,  and  not  be  caught  in 
that  ugly  shape  and  figure." — The  principal  part  of  this  Gospel  is  con- 
tained in  the  Protevangelion  of  James,  which  follows  next  in  order.] 


CHAP.  I. 

1  The  parentage  of  Mary.  7  Joachim, 
her  father,  and  Anna  her  mother,  go 
to  Jerusalem  to  the  feast  of  the  dedi- 
cation. 9  Issachar  the  high  priest  re- 
proaches Joachim  for  being  childless. 

rpHE  blessed  and  ever  glorious 
X  Virgin  Mary,  sprung  from 
the  royal  race  and  family  of  Da- 
vid, was  born  in  the  city  of  Naza- 
reth, and  educated  at  Jerusalem, 
in  the  temple  of  the  Lord, 


2  Her  father's  name  was  Joa- 
chim, and  her  mother's  Anna. 
The  family  of  her  father  was  of 
Galilee  and  the  city  of  Nazareth. 
The  family  of  her  mother  was  of 
Bethlehem. 

3  Their  lives  were  plain  and 
right  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord, 
pious  and  faultless  before  men. 
For  they  divided  all  their  sub- 
stance into  three  parts : 

4  One  of  which  they  devoted 


2  17 


Mary's  parents  barren.  MARY.  An  Angel  appears,  and 


to  the  temple  and  officers  of  the 
temple ;  another  they  distributed 
among  strangers,  and  persons  in 
poor  circumstances ;  and  the 
third  they  reserved  for  them- 
selves and  the  uses  of  their  own 
family. 

5  In  this  manner  they  lived  for 
about  twenty  years  chastely,  in 
the  favour  of  God,  and  the  esteem 
of  men,  without  any  children. 

6  But  they  vowed,  if  God 
should  favour  them  with  any  is- 
sue, they  would  devote  it  to  the 
service  of  the  Lord ;  on  which 
account  they  went  at  every  feast 
in  the  year  to  the  temple  of  the 
Lord.1 

7  ^[  And  it  came  to  pass,  that 
when  the  feast  of  the  dedication 
drew  near,  Joachim,  with  some 
others  of  his  tribe,  went  up  to 
Jerusalem,  and  at  that  time,  Is- 
sachar  was  high-priest ; 

8  Who,  when  he  saw  Joachim 
along  with  the  rest  of  his  neigh- 
bours, bringing  his  offering,  des- 
pised both  him  and  his  offerings, 
and  asked  him, 

9  Why  he,  who  had  no  chil- 
dren, would  presume  to  appear 
among  those  who  had  ?  Adding, 
that  his  offerings  could  never  be 
acceptable  to  God,  who  was 
judged  by  him  unworthy  to  have 
children ;  the  Scripture  having 
said,  Cursed  is  every  one  who 
shall  not  beget  a  male  in  Israel. 

10.  He  further  said,  that  he 
ought  first  to  be  free  from  that 
curse  by  begetting  some  issue, 
and  then  come  with  his  offerings 
into  .the  presence  of  God. 

11  But  Joachim  being  much 
confounded  with  the  shame  of 
such  reproach,  retired  to  the 
shepherds,  who  were  with  the 
cattle  in  their  pastures ; 

12  For  he  was  not  inclined  to 


return  home,  lest  his  neighbours, 
who  were  present  and  heard  all 
this  from  the  high-priest,  should 
publicly  reproach  him  in  the 
same  manner. 

CHAP.  II. 

1  An  angel  appears  to  Joachim,  9  and 
informs  him  that  Anna  shall  con- 
ceive and  bring  forth  a  daughter,  who 
shall  be  called  Mary,  11  be  brought 
up  in  the  temple,  12  and  while  yet  a 
virgin,  in  a  way  unparalleled,  bring 
forth  the  Son  of  GodU  13  gives  him  a 
sign,  14  and  departs. 

BUT  when  he  had  been  there 
for  some  time,  on  a  certain 
day  when  he  was  alone,  the  an- 
gel of  the  Lord  stood  by  him 
with  a  prodigious  light. 

2  To  whom,  being  troubled  at 
the  appearance,  the  angel  who 
had  appeared  to  him,  endeavour- 
ing to  compose  him  said : 

3  Be  not  afraid,  Joachim,  nor 
troubled  at  the  sight  of  me,  for  I 
am  an  angel  of  the  Lord  sent  by 
him  to  you,  that  I  might  inform 
you,  that  your  prayers  are  heard, 
and  your  alms  ascended  in  the 
sight  of  God.2 

4  For  he  hath  surely  seen 
your  shame,  and  heard  you  un- 
justly reproached  for  not  having 
children  :  for  God  is  the  avenger 
of  sin,  and  not  of  nature ; 

5  And  so  when  he  shuts  the 
womb  of  any  person,  he  does  it 
for  this  reason,  that  he  may  in  a 
more  wonderful  manner  again 
open  it,  and  that  which  is  born 
appear  to  be  not  the  product  of 
lust,  but  the  gift  of  God. 

6  For  the  first  mother  of  your 
nation  Sarah,  was  she  not  barren 
even  till  her  eightieth  year:  And 
yet  even  in  the  end  of  her  old 
age  brought  forth  Isaac,  in  whom 
the  promise  was  made  a  blessing 
to  all  nations.3 


Sam.  i 
18 


3,  7,  &c.     2  Acts  x.  4.    s  Gen.  xvi.  2,  &c  and  xviii.  10,  &c. 


promises  them  a  child. 


MARY. 


ilUUI  Concrtccfi. 


7  Rachel  also,  so  much  in  fa- 
vour with  God,  and  beloved  so 
much  by  holy  Jacob,  continued 
ban-en  for  a  long  time,  yet  after- 
wards was  the  mother  of  Joseph, 
who  was  not  only  governor  of 
Egypt,  but  delivered  many  na- 
tions from  perishing  with  hun- 
ger.1 

8  Who  among  the  judges  was 
more  valiant  than  Samson,  or 
more  holy  than  Samuel  ?  And  yet 
both  their  mothers  were  barren.2 

9  But  if  reason  will  not  con- 
vince you  of  the  truth  of  my 
words,  that  there  are  frequent 
conceptions  in  advanced  years, 
and  that  those  who  were  barren 
have  brought  forth  to  their  great 
surprise ;  therefore  Anna  your 
wife  shall  bring  you  a  daugh- 
ter, and  you  shall  call  her  name 
Mary; 

10  She  shall,  according  to 
your  vow,  be  devoted  to  the 
Lord  from  her  infancy,  and  be 
filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost  from 
her  mother's  womb  ;3 

11  She  shall  neither  eat  nor 
drink  anything  which  is  unclean, 
nor  shall  her  conversation  be 
without  among  the  common  peo- 
ple, but  in  the  temple  of  the 
Lord  ;  that  so  she  may  not  fall 
under  any  slander  or  suspicion 
of  what  is  bad. 

12  So  in  the  process  of  her 
years,  as  she  shall  be  in  a  mira- 
culous manner  born  of  one  that 
was  barren,  so  she  shall,  while 
yet  a  virgin,  in  a  way  unparal- 
leled, bring  forth  the  Son  of  the 
most  High  God,  who  shall,  be 
called  Jesus,  and,  according  to 
the  signification  of  his  name,  be 
the  Saviour  of  all  nations.4 

13  And  this  shall  be  a  sign 
to  you  of  the  things  which  I  de- 


clare, namely,  when  you  come 
to  the  golden  gate  of  Jerusalem, 
you  shall  there  meet  your  wife 
Anna,  who  being  very  much 
troubled  that  you  returned  no 
sooner,  shall  then  rejoice  to  see 
you. 

14  When  the  angel  had  said 
this  he  departed  from  him. 
CHAP.  III. 

I  The  angel  appears  to  Anna ;  2  telU 
her  a  daughter  shall  be  born  unto  /ier, 
3  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  Lord  in 
the  temple,  5,  who,  being  a  virgin  and 
not  knowing  man,  shall  bring  forth 
the  Lord,  6  and  gives  her  a  sign 
therefore.  8  Joachim  and  Anna  meet 
and  rejoice,  10  and  praise  the  Lord. 
11  Anna  conceives,  and  brings  forth 
a  daughter  called  Mary. 

AFTERWARDS  the  angel 
appeared  to  Anna  his  wife 
saying :  Fear  not,  neither  think 
that  which  you  see  is  a  spirit.5 

2  For  I  am  that  angel  who 
hath  offered  up  your  prayers  and 
alms  before  God,  and  am  now 
sent  to  you,  that  I  may  inform 
you,  that  a  daughter  will  be  born 
unto  you,  who  shall  be  called 
Mary,  and  shall  be  blessed  above 
all  women.6 

3  She  shall  be,  immediately 
upon  her  birth,  full  of  the  grace 
of  the  Lord,  and  shall  continue 
during  the  three  years  of  her 
weaning  in  her  father's  house, 
and  afterwards,  being  devoted  to 
the  service  of  the  Lord,  shall 
not  depart  from  the  temple,  till 
she  arrives  to  years  of  discretion. 

4  In  a  word,  she  shall  there 
serve  the  Lord  night  and  day  in 
fasting  and  prayer,7  shall  abstain 
from  every  unclean  thing,  and 
never  know  any  man  ; 

5  But,  being  an  unparalleled 
instance  without  any  pollution 
or  defilement,  and  a  virgin  not 


JGen.  xxx.   1—22,   and  xli.   l,&c.     2  Judgr.  xiii.  2.  and   1  Sam.  6.  &c. 
3Lukei.  15.    *Mattb.  i.  21.    »Matth.  xiv.  26.   6Luke  i.  28.    7Lukcii.  37. 

19 


Mary  born. 


MARY.       Ministered  unto  by  Angels. 


knowing  any  man,  shall  bring 
forth  a  son,  and  a  maid  shall 
bring  forth  the  Lord,  who  both  by 
his  grace  and  name  and  works, 
shall  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 

6  Arise  therefore,  and  go  up 
to  Jerusalem,  and  when  you 
shall  come  to  that  which  is 
called  the  golden  gate  (because 
it  is  gilt  with  gold),  as  a  sign  of 
what  I  have  told  you,  you  shall 
meet  your  husband,  for  whose 
safety  you  have  been  so  much 
concerned. 

7  When  therefore  you  find 
these  things  thus  accomplished, 
believe  that  all  the  rest  which  I 
have  told  you,  shall  also  un- 
doubtedly be  accomplished. 

8  ^[  According  therefore  to 
the  command  of  the  angel,  both 
of  them  left  the  places  where 
they  were,  and  when  they  came 
to  the  place  specified  in  the  an- 
gel's prediction,  they  met  each 
other. 

9  Then,  rejoicing  at  each  oth- 
er's vision,  and  being  fully  satis- 
fied in  the  promise  of  a  child, 
they  gave  due  thanks  to  the 
Lord,  who  exalts  the  humble. 

10  After  having  praised  the 
Lord,  they  returned  home,  and 
lived  in  a  cheerful  and  assured 
expectation  of  the  promise  of 
God. 

11  Tf  So  Anna  conceived,  and 
brought  forth  a  daughter,  and, 
according  to  the  angel's  com- 
mand, the  parents  did  call  her 
name  Mary. 

CHAP.  IV. 

1  Mary  brought  to  the  temple  at  three 
years  old.  6  Ascends  the  stairs  of 
the  temple  by  miracle.  8  Her  parents 
sacrificed  and  returned  home. 

AND  when  three  years  were 
expired,  and  the  time  of  her 
weaning  complete,  they  brought 


the  Virgin  to  the  temple  of  the 
Lord  with  offerings. 

2  And  there  were  about  the 
temple,  according  to  the  fifteen 
Psalms  of  degrees,1  fifteen  stairs 
to  ascend. 

3  For  the  temple  being  built 
in  a  mountain,  the  altar  of  burnt- 
offering,  which  was  without, 
could  not  be  come  near  but  by 
stairs  ; 

4  The  parents  of  the  blessed 
Virgin  and  infant  Mary  put  her 
upon  one  of  these  stairs ; 

5  But  while  they  were  putting 
off  their  clothes,  in  which  they 
had  travelled,  and  according  to 
custom  putting  on  some  that 
were  more  neat  and  clean, 

6  In  the  mean  time  the  Vir- 
gin of  the  Lord  in  such  a  man- 
ner went  up  all  the  stairs  one 
after  another,  without  the  help 
of  any  to  lead  or  lift  her,  that 
any  one  would  have  judged  from 
hence  that  she  was  of  perfect  age. 

7  Thus  the  Lord  did,  in  the 
infancy  of  his  Virgin,  work  this 
extraordinary  work,  and  evi- 
dence by  this  miracle  how  great 
she  was  like  to  be  hereafter. 

8  But  the  parents  having  of- 
fered up  their  sacrifice,  accord- 
ing to  the  custom  of  the  law, 
and  perfected  their  vow,  left  the 
Virgin  with  other  virgins  in  the 
apartments  of  the  temple,  who 
were  to  be  brought  up  there, 
and  they  returned  home. 

CHAP.  V. 

2  Mary  ministered  unto  by  angels.  4 
The  high-priest  orders  all  virgins  of 
fourteen  years  old  to  quit  the  temple 
and  endeavour  to  be  married.  5 
Mary  refuses,  6  having  vowed  her  vir- 
ginity to  the  Lord.  7  The  high-priest 
commands  a  meeting  of  the  chief  per- 
sons of  Jerusalem,  11  who  seek  the 
Lord  for  counsel  in  the  matter.  13  A 
voice  from  the  mercy-seat.      15    The 


Those  Psalms  are  from  the  120th  to  the  134th,  including  hoth. 
20 


Her  vow  of  virginity. 


MARY.     TJie  high-priest  in  difficulty. 


high-priest  obeys  it  by  ordering  all 
the  unmarried  men  of  the  house  of 
David  to  bring  their  rods  to  the  altar, 
17  that  his  rod  which  should  flower, 
and  on  which  the  Spirit  of  God  should 
sit,  should  betroth  the  Virgin. 

BUT  the  Virgin  .of  the  Lord, 
as  she  advanced  in  years, 
increased  also  in  perfections,  and 
according  to  the  saying  of  the 
Psalmist,  her  father  and  mother 
forsook  her,  but  the  Lord  took 
care  of  her. 

2  For  she  every  day  had  the 
conversation  of  angels,  and  every 
day  received  visitors  from  God, 
which  preserved  her  from  all 
sorts  of  evil,  and  caused  her  to 
abound  with  all  good  things ; 

3  So  that  when  at  length  she 
arrived  to  her  fourteenth  year, 
as  the  wicked  could  not  lay  any- 
thing to  her  charge  worthy  of 
reproof,  so  all  good  persons,  who 
were  acquainted  with  her,  ad- 
mired her  life  and  conversation. 

4  At  that  time  the  high-priest 
made  a  public  order.  That  all 
the  virgins  who  had  public  set- 
tlements in  the  temple,  and  were 
come  to  this  age,  should  return 
home,  and,  as  they  were  now  of 
a  proper  maturity,  should,  ac- 
cording to  the  custom  of  their 
country,  endeavour  to  be  mar- 
ried. 

5  To  which  command,  though 
all  the  other  virgins  readily 
yielded  obedience,  Mary  the 
Virgin  of  the  Lord  alone  an- 
swered, that  she  could  not  com- 
ply with  it. 

6  Assigning  these  reasons,  that 
both  she  and  her  parents  had 
devoted  her  to  the  service  of  the 
Lord ;  and  besides,  that  she  had 
vowed  virginity  to  the  Lord, 
which  vow  she  was  resolved  never 


to  break  through  by  lying  with 
a  man. 

7  The  high  priest  being  here- 
by brought  into  a  difficulty, 

8  Seeing  he  durst  neither  on 
the  one  hand  dissolve  the  vow, 
and  disobey  the  Scripture,  which 
says,  Vow  and  pay,1 

9  Nor  on  the  other  hand  in- 
troduce a  custom,  to  which  the 
people  were  strangers,  com- 
manded, 

10  That  at  the  approaching 
feast  all  the  principal  persons 
both  of  Jerusalem  and  the  neigh- 
bouring places  should  meet  to- 
gether, that  he  might  have  their 
advice,  how  he  had  best  proceed 
in  so  difficult  a  case. 

11  When  they  were  accord- 
ingly met,  they  unanimously 
agreed  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  ask 
counsel  from  him  on  this  matter.2 

12  And  when  they  were  all 
engaged  in  prayer,  the  high- 
priest,  according  to  the  usual 
way,  went  to  consult  God. 

13  And  immediately  there  was 
a  voice  from  the  ark,  and  the 
mercy  seat,  which  all  present 
heard,  that  it  must  be  inquired 
or  sought  out  by  a  prophecy  of 
Isaiah  to  whom  the  Virgin  should 
be  given  and  be  betrothed  ; 

14  For  Isaiah  saith,  there 
shall  come  forth  a  rod  out  of  the 
stem  of  Jesse,  and  a  flower  shall 
spring  out  of  its  root, 

15  And  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
shall  rest  upon  him,  the  Spirit 
of  Wisdom  and  Understanding, 
the  Spirit  of  Counsel  and  Might, 
the  Spirit  of  Knowledge  and 
Piety,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  fear 
of  the  Lord  shall  fill  him. 

16  Then,  according  to  thia 
prophecy,  he  appointed,  that  all 


1  Eccles.  v.  4,  5,  6;  and  Psalm  Ixxvi.  11. 

3  Num.  xxvii.  21,  compared  with  Exod.  xxviii.  30;  Lev.  viii.  8;  Deut 
xxxiii.  8  ;  Ezra  ii.  63 :  Nehern.  vii.  65. 

21 


The  Virgin  betrothed. 


MARY.     Angel  Gabriel  salutes  Mary 


the  men  of  the  house  and  family 
of  David,  who  were  marriage- 
able, and  not  married,  should 
bring  their  several  rods  to  the 
altar, 

17  And  out  of  whatsoever 
person's  rod  after  it  was  brought, 
a  flower  should  bud  forth,  and 
on  the  top  of  it  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  should  sit  in  the  appear- 
ance of  a  dove,  he  should  be  the 
man  to  whom  the  Virgin  should 
be  given  and  be  betrothed. 

CHAP.  VI. 

1  Joseph  draws  back  Ms  rod.  5  The 
dove  pitches  on  it.  Hebetroths  Mary 
and  returns  to  Bethlehem.  7  Mary 
returns  to  her  parents'  house  at  Galilee. 

AMONG  the  rest  there  was  a 
man  named  Joseph,  of  the 
house  and  family  of  David,  and 
a  person  very  far  advanced  in 
years,  who  drew  back  his  rod, 
when  every  one  besides  presented 
his. 

2  So  that  when  nothing  ap- 
peared agreeable  to  the  heavenly 
voice,  the  high-priest  judged  it 
proper  to  consult  God  again, 

3  Who  answered  that  he  to 
whom  the  Virgin  was  to  be  be- 
trothed was  the  only  person  of 
those  who  were  brought  together, 
who  had  not  brought  his  rod. 

4  Joseph  therefore  was  be- 
trayed. 

5  For,  when  he  did  bring  his 
rod,  and  a  dove  coming  from 
Heaven  pitched  upon  the  top  of 
it,  every  one  plainly  saw,  that 
the  Virgin  was  to  be  betrothed 
to  him : 

6  Accordingly,  the  usual  cere- 
monies of  betrothing  being  over, 
he  returned  to  his  own  city  of 
Bethlehem,  to  set  his  house  in 
order,  and  make  the  needful 
provisions  for  the  marriage. 

7  But  the  Virgin  of  the  Lord, 


1  Luke  i. 


I  Mary,  with  seven  other  virgins 
of  the  same  age,  who  had  been 
1  weaned  at  the  same  time,  and 
1  who  had  been  appointed  to  at- 
tend her  by  the  priest,  returned 
to  her  parents'  house  in  Galilee. 
CHAP.  VII. 

7  The  salutation  of  the  Virgin  by  Ga- 
briel, who  explains  to  her  that  she  shall 
conceive,  without  lying  with  a  man, 
while  a  Virgin,  19  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
coming  upon  her  without  the  heats  of 
lust.     21  She  submits. 

"VTOW  at  this  time  of  her  first 
J_\  coming  into  Galilee,  the 
angel  Gabriel  was  sent  to  her 
from  God,  to  declare  to  her  the 
conception  of  our  Saviour,  and 
the  manner  and  way  of  her  con- 
ceiving him. 

2  Accordingly  going  into  her, 
he  filled  the  chamber  where  she 
was  with  a  prodigious  light,  and 
in  a  most  courteous  manner  sa- 
luting her,  he  said, 

3  Hail,  Mary !  Virgin  of  the 
Lord  most  acceptable  !  O  Vir- 
gin full  of  Grace !  The  Lord  is 
with  you,  you  are  blessed  above 
all  women,  you  are  blessed  above 
all  men,  that,  have  been  hitherto 
born.1 

4  But  the  Virgin,  who  had 
before  been  well  acquainted  with 
the  countenances  of"  angels,  and 
to  whom  such  light  from  heaven 
was  no  uncommon  thing, 

5  Was  neither  terrified  with 
the  vision  of  the  angel,  nor 
astonished  at  the  greatness  of 
the  light,  but  only  troubled  about 
the  angel's  Avords : 

6  And  began  to  consider  what 
so  extraordinary  a  salutation 
should  mean,  what  it  did  por- 
tend, or  what  sort  of  end  it 
would  have.2 

7  To  this  thought  the  angel, 
divinely  inspired,  replies ; 

8  Fear  not,  Mary,  as  though 

2  Luke  i.  29. 


22 


And  tells  her  she  shall  < 


MARY.        She  is  married  to  Joseph 


I  intended  anything  inconsistent 
with  your  chastity  in  this  salu- 
tation : 

9  For  you  have  found  favour 
with  the  Lord,  because  you  made 
virginity  your  choice. 

10  Therefore  while  you  are  a 
Virgin,  you  shall  conceive  with- 
out sin,  and  bring  forth  a  son. 

11  He  shall  be  great,  because 
he  shall  reign  from  sea  to  sea, 
and  from  the  rivers  to  the  ends 
of  the  earth.1 

12  And  he  shall  be  called  the 
.  Son  of  the  Highest ;  for  he  who 

is  born  in  a  mean  state  on  earth 
reigns  in  an  exalted  one  in  hea- 
ven. 

13  And  the  Lord  shall  give 
him  the  throne  of  his  father  Da- 
vid, and  he  shall  reign  over  the 
house  of  Jacob  for  ever,  and  of 


20  So  that  which  shall  be  born 
of  you  shall  be  only  holy,  be- 
cause it  only  is  conceived  with- 
out sin,  and  being  born,  shall  be 
called  the  Son  of  God. 

21  Then  Mary  stretching  forth 
her  hands,  and  lifting  her  eyes 
to  heaven,  said,  Behold  the  hand- 
maid of  the  Lord!  Let  it  be  unto 
me  according  to  thy  word.2 

CHAP.  VIII. 

1  Joseph  returns  to  Oalilee  to  marry  the 
Virgin  he  had  betrothed.  4  perceives 
she  is  with  child,  5  is  uneasy,  7  pur- 
poses to  put  her  away  privily,  8  is  told 
by  the  angel  of  the  Lord  it  is  not  the 
work  of  man  but  the  Holy  Ghost,  12 
Harries  her,  but  keeps  chaste,  13  re- 
moves with  her  to  Bethlehem,  15  where 
she  brings  forth  Christ. 

JOSEPH  therefore  went  from 
Judaea  to  Galilee,  with  in- 


his  kingdom  there  shall  be  no  tention  to  marry  the  Virgin  who 
end.  was  betrothed  to  him  : 

14  For  he  is  the  King  of  2  For  it  was  now  near  three 
Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords,  and  j  months  since  she  was  betrothed 
his  throne  is  for  ever  and  ever,   to  him. 

15  To  this   discourse  of  the       3   At    length    it    plainly  ap- 
angel  the  Virgin  replied  not,  as   peared  she  was  with  child,  and  it 
though  she  were  unbelieving,  but   could  not  be  hid  from  Joseph  : 
willing  to  know  the  manner  of  it.       4  For  going  to  the  Virgin  in 

16  She  said,  How  can  that  be?  a  free  manner,  as  one  espoused, 
For  seeing,  according  to  my  vow,  and  talking  familiarly  with  her, 
I  have  never  known  any  man,  he  perceived  her  to  be  with  child, 
how  can  I  bear  a  child  without  5  And  thereupon  began  to  be 
the  addition  of  a  man's  seed?        uneasy  and  doubtful,  not  know- 

17  To  this  the  angel  replied   ing  what  course  it  would  be  best 
to  take : 


and  said,  Think  not,  Mary,  that 
you  shall  conceive  in  the  ordi- 
nary way. 

18  For,  without  lying  with  a 
man,  while  a  Virgin,  you  shall 
conceive;  while  a  Virgin,  you 
shall  bring  forth ;  and  while  a 
Virgin  shall  give  suck. 

19  For  the  Holy  Ghost  shall 


6  For  being  a  just  man,  he 
was  not  willing  to  expose  her, 
nor  defame  her  by  the  suspicion 
of  being  a  whore,  since  he  was  a 
pious  man. 

7  He  purposed  therefore  pri- 
vately to  put  an  end  to  their 
agreement,  and  as  privately  to 


come  upon  you,  and  the  power  ,  put  her  away, 
of  the  Most  High  shall  over-  8  But  while  he  was  meditating 
shadow  you,  without  any  of  the  these  things,3  behold  the  angel 
heats  of  lust.  I  of  the  Lord  appeared  to  him  in 

1  Luke  i.  31,  &c.  2  Luke  i.  38.  3  Matt.  i.  19. 

23 


Joachims  offering   THE  PROTEVANGELION. 


his  sleep,  and  said  Joseph,  son  of 
David,  fear  not ; 

9  Be  not  willing  to  entertain 
any  suspicion  of  the  Virgin's 
being  guilty  of  fornication,  or  to 
think  any  thing  amiss  of  her, 
neither  be  afraid  to  take  her  to' 
wife ; 

10  For  that  which  is  begotten 
in  her  and  now  distresses  your 
mind,  is  not  the  work  of  man, 
but  the  Holy  Ghost. 

11  For  she  of  all  women  is 
that  only  Virgin  who  shall  bring 
forth  the  Son  of  God,  and  you 
shall  call  his  name  Jesus,  that 
is,  Saviour :  for  he  will  save  his 
people  from  their  sins. 

12  Joseph  thereupon,  accord- 
ing to  the  command  of  the  angel, 


married  the  Virgin,  and  did  not 
know  her,  but  kept  her  in  chas- 
tity. 

13  And  now  the  ninth  month 
from  her  conception  drew  near, 
when  Joseph  took  his  wife  and 
what  other  things  were  neces- 
sary to  Bethlehem,  the  city  from 
whence  he  came. 

14  And  it  came  to  pass,  while 
they  were  there,  the  days  were 
fulfilled  for  her  bringing  forth. 

15  And  she  brought  forth  her 
first-born  son,  as  the  holy  Evan- 
gelists have  taught,  even  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  with  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
lives  and.  reigns  to    everlasting 


ThBTP^T4m?rLI0?;10r^An  Hist°rical  Account  °f  the 
BIRTH  of  CHRIST,  and  the  Perpetual  VIRGIN  MARY  his 

Mother,  by  JAMES  the  lesser,  Cousin  and  Brother  of  the 

-Lord  Jesus,  chief  Apostle  and  first  Bishop  of  the  Christians  in 

Jerusalem. 

[This  Gospel  is  ascribed  to  James.  The  allusions  to  it  in  the  ancient  Fa- 
thers are  frequent,  and  their  expressions  indicate  that  it  had  obtained  a 
very  general  credit  in  the  Christian  world.  The  controversies  founded 
upon  it  chiefly  relate  to  the  age  of  Joseph  at  the  birth  of  Christ  and  to 
his  being  a  widower  with  children,  before  his  marriage  with  he  Virgin 
It  seems  material  to  remark,  that  the  legends  of  the  latter  ages  affirm 
he  virginity  of  Joseph,  notwithstanding  Epiphanius,  Hilary,°Chrf  ™ 

rStafeft  EUSfT9v  ThePh>,,acv.t-  Occumenius,  and  ind£d iHTS 

Latin  Fathers  till  Ambrose,  and  the  Greek  Fathers  afterwards,  main- 
tain the  opinions  of  Joseph's  age  and  family,  founded  upon  their  belief 
in  the  authenticity  of  this  book.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been or  'inallv 
composed  in  Hebrew.     Postellus  brought  the  MS.  of  this  GoTpel  from 

at  ft^hSTftr  *A  int°  £atin>  and  Sent  h  toOporimus,  aPprinter 
Divin     '        %     Bibliander,  a  Protestant  Divine,  and  the  Professor  of 

Sat  h V1  f  H.T-  ',  CaU"eJ  "  t0  be  Vri?ted  in  W  PostelIus  asserts 
mlirilPK,,*T3,d  M  can?mcal  ln  the  eastern  churches,  they 
making  no  doubt  that  James  was  the  author  of  it.     It  is  nevertheless 

nwei'e(VTf,r-7-haluby  l°me1of  the  most  learned  divin'<*  ^  the  Pro- 
testant and  Catholic  churches.] 

CHAR  I. 

1  Joachim,  a  rich  man,  2  offers  to  the 

„  Lord,  3  is  opposed  by  Reuben  the  high- 
priest,^  because  he  'has  not  begotten 
issue  in  Israel,  6  retires  into  the  wil- 
derness and  fasts  forty  days  and  forty 
nights. 


IN  the  history  of  the  twelve 
tribes  of  Israel  we  read  there 
was  a  certain  person  called  Joa- 
chim, who  being  very  rich,  made 
double1  offerings  to  the  Lord 
God,  having   made  this  resolu- 


24 


That  is,  gave  as  much  more  as  he  was  obliged 


ELIZABETH    RECEIVING    THE  VISIT  OF  MARY.  [Page  35. 

FROM    A    GREEK     DIPTYCHON   OF   THE    THIRTEENTH    OR    FOURTEENTH    CENTURY. 


rejected  for  Ids     THE  PROTEVANGELION. 


barrenness. 


tion :  my  substance  shall  be  for 
the  benefit  of  the  whole  people, 
and  that  I  may  find  mercy  from 
the  Lord  God  for  the  forgiveness 
of  my  sins. 

2  But  at  a  certain  great  feast 
of  the  Lord,  when  the  children 
of  Israel  offered  their  gifts,  and 
Joachim  also  offered  his,  Reuben 
the  high-priest  opposed  him,  say- 
ing it  is  not  lawful  for  thee  to 
offer  thy  gifts,  seeing  thou  hast 
not  begot  any  issue  in  Israel. 

3  At  this  Joachim  being  con- 
cerned very  much,  went  away 
to  consult  the  registries  of  the 
twelve  tribes,  to  see  whether  he 
was  the  only  person  who  had 
begot  no  issue. 

4  But  upon  inquiry  he  found 
that  all  the  righteous  had  raised 
up  seed  in  Israel : 

5  Then  he  called  to  mind  the 
patriarch  Abraham,  How  that 
God  in  the  end  of  his  life  had 
given  him  his  son  Isaac;  upon 
which  he  was  exceedingly  dis- 
tressed, and  would  not  be  seen 
by  his  wife : 

"  6  But  retired  into  the  wilder- 
ness, and  fixed  his  tent  there, 
and  fasted  forty  days  and  forty 
nights,  saying  to  himself, 

7  I  will  not  go  down  either  to 
eat  or  drink,  till  the  Lord  my 
God  shall  look  down  upon  me, 
but  prayer  shall  be  my  meat  and 
drink.1 

CHAP.  II. 

1  Anna,  the  wife  of  Joachim,  mourns 
her  barrenness,  6  is  reproached  with 
it  by  Judith  her  maid,  9  site  under  a 
laurel  tree  and  prays  to  the  Lord. 

IN  the  meantime  his  wife  Anna 
was  distressed  and  perplexed 
on  a  double  account,  and  said  I 
will  mourn  both  for  my  widow- 
hood and  my  barrenness. 


2  Then  drew  near  a  great 
feast  of  the  Lord,  and  Judith 
her  maid  said,  How  long  will 
you  thus  afflict  your  soul  ?  The 
feast  of  the  Lord  is  now  come, 
when  it  is  unlawful  for  any  one 
to  mourn. 

3  Take  therefore  this  hood 
which  was  given  by  one  who 
makes  such  things,  for  it  is  not 
fit  that  I,  who  am  a  servant, 
should  wear  it,  but  it  Avell  suits 
a  person  of  your  greater  char- 
acter. 

4  But  Anna  replied,  Depart 
from  me,  I  am  not  used  to  such 
things;  besides,  the  Lord  hath 
greatly  humbled  me. 

5  I  fear  some  ill-designing 
person  hath  given  thee  this,  and 
thou  art  come  to  pollute  me  with 
my  sin. 

6  Then  Judith  her  maid  an- 
swered, What  evil  shall  I  wish 
you  when  you  will  not  hearken 
to  me? 

7  I  cannot  wish  you  a  greater 
curse  than  you  are  under,  in 
that  God  hath  shut  up  your 
womb,  that  you  should  not  be  a 
mother  in  Israel. 

8  At  this  Anna  was  exceed- 
ingly troubled,  and  having  on 
her  wedding  garment,  went  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  to 
walk  in  her  garden. 

9  And  she  saw  a  laurel-tree, 
and  sat  under  it,  and  prayed 
unto  the  Lord,  saying, 

10  O  God  of  my  fathers,  bless 
me  and  regard  my  prayer  as 
thou  didst  bless  the  womb  of 
Sarah,  and  gavest  her  a  son 
Isaac.2 

CHAP.  III. 

1  Anna  perceiving  a  sparrow's  nest  in 
the  laurels  bemoans  her  barrenness. 


1  In  imitation  of  the  fortv  days  and  nights  fast  of  Moses,  recorded  Exod. 
xxiv.  11,  xxxiv.  28;  Deut.'ix.  9;  of  Elijah,  1  Kings  xix.  8;  and  Christ's, 
Matt.  iv.  2.     2  Gen.  xxi.  2. 

25 


Angels  foretell       THE  PBOTEVANGELION.         Mary's  birth. 


AND  as  she  was  looking  to- 
wards heaven  she  perceived 
a  sparrow's  nest  in  the  laurel, 

2  And  mourning  within  her- 
self, she  said,  Wo  is  me,  who 
begat  me?  and  what  womb  did 
bear  me,  that  I  should  be  thus 
accursed  before  the  children  of 
Israel,  and  that  they  should  re- 
proach and  deride  me  in  the 
temple  of  my  God :  Wo  is  me, 
to  what  can  I  be  compared  ? 

3  I  am  not  comparable  to  the 
very  beasts  of  the  earth,  for  even 
the  beasts  of  the  earth  are  fruit- 
ful before  thee,  O  Lord!  Wo 
is  me,  to  what  can  I  be  com- 
pared ? 

4  I  am  not  comparable  to  the 
brute  animals,  for  even  the  brute 
animals  are  fruitful  before  thee, 

0  Lord !    Wo  is  me,  to  what  am 

1  comparable? 

5  I  cannot  be  compared  to 
these  waters,  for  even  the  waters 
are  fruitful  before  thee,  O  Lord  ! 
Wo  is  me,  to  what  can  I  be 
compared  ? 

6  I  am  not  comparable  to  the 
waves  of  the  sea ;  for  these,  whe- 
ther they  are  calm,  or  in  motion, 
with  the  fishes  which  are  in 
them,  praise  thee,  O  Lord !  Wo 
is  me,  to  what  can  I  be  com- 
pared ? 

7  I  am  not  comparable  to  the 
very  earth,  for  the  earth  pro- 
duces its  fruits,  and  praises  thee, 

0  Lord ! 

CHAP.  IV. 

1  An  Angel  appears  to  Anna  and  tells 
her  she  shall  conceive  ;  two  angels  ap- 
pear to  her  on  the  same  errand.  5 
Joachim  sacrifices.  8  Anna  goes  to 
meet  him,  9  rejoicing  that  she  shall 
conceive. 

THEN  an  angel  of  the  Lord 
stood  by  her  and  said,  Anna, 
Anna,  the  Lord  hath  heard  thy 
prayer ;  thou  shalt  conceive  and 
bring   forth,    and   thy   progeny 
26 


shall  be  spoken   of  in   all   the 
world. 

2  And  Anna  answered,  As 
the  Lord  my  God  liveth,  what- 
ever I  bring  forth,  whether  it  be 
male  or  female,  I  will  devote  it 
to  the  Lord  my  God,  and  it  shall 
minister  to  him  in  holy  things, 
during  its  whole  life. 

3  And  behold  there  appeared 
two  angels,  saying  unto  her,  Be- 
hold Joachim  thy  husband  is 
coming  with  his  shepherds. 

4  For  an  angel  of  the  Lord 
hath  also  come  down  to  him, 
and  said,  The  Lord  God  hath 
heard  thy  prayer,  make  haste 
and  go  hence,  for  behold  Anna 
thy  wife  shall  conceive. 

5  And  Joachim  went  down 
and  called  his  shepherds,  saying 
Bring  me  hither  ten  she-lambs 
without  spot  or  blemish,  and 
they  shall  be  for  the  Lord  my 
God. 

6  And  bring  me  twelve  calves 
without  blemish,  and  the  twelve 
calves  shall  be  for  the, 
and  the  elders. 

7  Bring  me  also  a  hundred 
goats,  and  the  hundred  goats 
shall  be  for  the  whole  people. 

8  And  Joachim  went  down 
with  the  shepherds,  and  Anna 
stood  by  the  gate  and  saw  Joa- 
chim coming  with  the  shepherds. 

9  And  she  ran,  and  hanging 
about  his  neck,  said,  Now  I 
know  that  the  Lord  hath  greatly 
blessed  me : 

10  For  behold,  I  wTho  was  a 
widow  am  no  longer  a  widow, 
and  I  who  was  barren  shall  con- 
ceive. 

CHAP.  V. 

1  Joachim  abides  the  first  day  in  his 
house,  but  sacrifices  on  the  morrow. 
2  consults  the  plate  an  the  priest's 
forehead.  3  And  is  without  sin.  6 
Anna  brings  forth  a  daughter,  9 
whom  she  calls  Mary. 


Her  dedication    THE  PROTEVANGELION. 


in  the  temple. 


ND  Joachim  abode  the'  first  I  walk  again  on  this  earth  till  I 
day  in  his  house,  but  on   bring  thee  into  the  temple  of  the 


the  morrow  he  brought  his  of- 
ferings and  said, 

2  If  the  Lord  be  propitious  to 
me  let  the  plate  which  is  on  the 
priest's  forehead1  make  it  ma- 
nifest. 

3  And  he  consulted  the  plate 
which  the  priest  wore,  and  saw 
it,  and  behold  sin  was  not  found 
in  him. 

4  And  Joachim  said,  Now  I 
know  that  the  Lord  is  propitious 
to  me,  and  hath  taken  away  all 
my  sins. 

5  And  he  went  down  from  the 
temple  of  the  Lord  justified,  and 
he  went  to  his  own  house. 

6  And  when  nine  months  were 
fulfilled  to  Anna,  she  brought 
forth,  and  said  to  the  midwife, 
What  have  I  brought  forth  ? 

7  And  she  told  her,  a  girl. 

8  Then  Anna  said,  the  Lord 
hath  this  day  magnified  my 
soul ;  and  she  laid  her  in  bed. 

9  And  when  the  days  of  her 
purification  were  accomplished, 
she  gave  suck  to  the  child,  and 
called  her  name  Mary. 

CHAP.  VI. 

1  Mary  at  nine  months  old,  walks  nine 
steps,  3  Anna  keeps  her  holy,  4  When 
she  is  a  year  old,  Joachim  makes  a 
great  feast.  7  Anna  gives  her  the 
breast,  and  sings  a  song  to  the  Lord. 

AND  the  child  increased  in 
strength  every  day,  so  that 
when  she  was  nine  months  old, 
her  mother  put  her  upon  the 
ground  to  try  if  she  could  stand  ; 
and  when  she  had  walked  nine 
steps,  she  came  again  to  her  mo- 
ther's lap. 

2  Then  her  mother  caught 
her  up,  and  said,  As  the  Lord 
my  God  liveth,  thou  shalt  not 


Lord. 

3  Accordingly  she  made  her 
chamber  a  holy  place,  and  suf- 
fered nothing  uncommon  or  un- 
clean to  come  near  her,  but  in- 
vited certain  undefiled  daughters 
of  Israel,  and  they  drew  her 
aside. 

4  But  when  the  child  was  a 
year  old,  Joachim  made  a  great 
feast,  and  invited  the  priests, 
scribes,  elders,  and  all  the  people 
of  Israel ; 

5  And  Joachim  then  made  an 
offering  of  the  girl  to  the  chief 
priests,  and  they  blessed  her, 
saying,  The  God  of  our  fathers 
bless  this  girl,  and  give  her  a 
name  famous  and  lasting  through 
all  generations.  And  all  the 
people  replied,  So  be  it,  Amen. 

6  Then  Joachim  a  second 
time  offered  her  to  the  priests, 
and  they  blessed  her,  saying,  O 
most  high  God,  regard  this  girl, 
and  bless  her  with  an  everlasting 
blessing. 

7  Upon  this  her  mother  took 
her  up,  and  gave  her  the  breast, 
and  sung  the  following  song  to 
the  Lord.2 

8  I  will  sing  a  new  song  unto 
the  Lord  my  God,  for  he  hath 
visited  me,  and  taken  away  from 
me  the  reproach  of  mine  enemies, 
and  hath  given  me  the  fruit  of 
his  righteousness,  that  it  may 
now  be  told  the  sons  of  Reuben, 
that  Anna  gives  suck. 

9  Then  she  put  the  child  to 
rest  in  the  room  which  she  had 
consecrated,  and  she  went  out 
and  ministered  unto  them. 

10  And  when  the  feast  was 
ended,  they  went  away  rejoicing 
and  praising  the  God  of  Israel. 


1  Such  an  instrument  God  had  appointed  the  high-priest  to  wear  for  such 
discoveries.     See  Exod.  xxviii.  36,  &c-,  and  Spencer  de  Unm  et  Thummim. 

2  Compare  1  Sam.  ii.,  &c,  with  Luke  i.  46. 

27 


Joseph  throws      THE  PROTEVANGELIOK     away  his  hatchet. 


CHAP.  VII. 

3  Mary  being  three  years  old,  Joachim 
causes  certain  virgins  to  light  each  a 
lamp,  and  goes  with  her  to  the  temple. 
5  The  high-priest  places  her  on  the 
third  step  of  the  altar,  and  she  dances 
with  her  feet. 

BUT  the  girl  grew,  and  when 
she  was  two  years  old,  Joa- 
chim said  to  Anna,  Let  us  lead 
her  to  the  temple  of  the  Lord, 
that  we  may  perform  our  vow, 
which  we  have  vowed  unto  the 
Lord  God,  lest  he  should  be  an- 
gry with  us,  and  our  offering  be 
unacceptable. 

2  But  Anna  said,  Let  us  wait 
the  third  year,  lest  she  should 
be  at  a  loss  to  know  her  father. 
And  Joachim  said,  Let  us  then 
wait. 

3  And  when  the  child  was 
three  years  old,  Joachim  said, 
Let  us  invite  the  daughters  of 
the  Hebrews,  who  are  undefiled, 
and  let  them  take  each  a  lamp, 
and  let  them  be  lighted,  that  the 
child  may  not  turn  back  again, 
and  her  mind  be  set  against  the 
temple  of  the  Lord. 

4  And  they  did  thus  till  they 
ascended  into  the  temple  of  the 
Lord.  And  the  high-priest  re- 
ceived her,  and  blessed  her,  and 
said,  Mary,  the  Lord  God  hath 
magnified  thy  name  to  all  gene- 
rations, and  to  the  very  end  of 
time  by  thee  will  the  Lord  shew 
his  redemption  to  the  children 
of  Israel. 

5  And  he  placed  her  upon  the 
third  step  of  the  altar,  and  the 
Lord  gave  unto  her  grace,  and 
she  danced  with  her  feet,  and  all 
the  house  of  Israel  loved  her. 

CHAP.  VIII. 

2  Mary  fed  in  the  temple  by  angels,  3 
when  twelve  years  old  the  priests  con- 
sult what  to  do  with  her.  6  The 
angel  of  the  Lord  warns  Zacharias 


to  call  together  all  the  widowers,  each 
bringing  a  rod.  7  The  people  meet 
by  sound  of  trumpet.  8  Joseph  throws 
away  his  hatchet,  and  goes  to  the 
meeting,  11a  dove  comes  forth  from 
his  rod,  and  alights  on  his  head.  ]  2 
He  is  chosen  to  betroth  the  Virgin.  1 3 
refuses  because  he  is  an  old  man,  1 5 
is  compelled,  16  takes  her  home, 
and  goes  to  mind  his  trade  of  building. 

AND  her  parents  went  away 
filled  with  wonder,  and 
praising  God,  because  the  girl 
did  not  return  back  to  them. 

2  But  Mary  continued  in  the 
temple  as  a  dove  educated  there, 
and  received  her  food  from  the 
hand  of  an  angel. 

3  And  when  she  was  twelve 
years  of  age,  the  priests  met  in  a 
council,  and  said,  Behold,  Mary 
is  twelve  years  of  age ;  what  shall 
we  do  with  her,  for  fear  lest  the 
holy  place  of  the  Lord  our  God 
should  be  defiled  ? 

4  Then  replied  the  priests  to 
Zacharias  the  high-priest,  Do  you 
stand  at  the  altar  of  the  Lord, 
and  enter  into  the  holy  place, 
and  make  petitions  concerning 
her,  and  whatsoever  the  Lord 
shall  manifest  unto  you,  that  do. 

5  Then  the  high-priest  entered 
into  the  Holy  of  Holies,  and 
taking  away  with  him  the  breast- 
plate of  judgment1  made  prayers 
concerning  her ; 

6  And  behold  the  angel  of  the 
Lord  came  to  him,  and  said, 
Zacharias,  Zacharias,  Go  forth 
and  call  together  all  the  widow- 
ers among  the  people,  and  let 
every  one  of  them  bring  his  rod, 
and  he  by  whom  the  Lord  shall 
shew  a  sign  shall  be  the  husband 
of  Mary. 

7  And  the  criers  went  out 
through  all  Judsea,  and  the 
trumpet  of  the  Lord  sounded, 
and  all  the  people  ran  and  met 
together. 


See  Exol  xxviii.  22.  &c. 


28 


Mary' slot  to       THE  PROTEVANGELION.       spin  the  pwple 


8  Tf  Joseph  also,  throwing 
away  the  hatchet,  went  out  to 
meet  them ;  and  when  they  were 
met,  they  went  to  the  high-priest, 
taking  every  man  his  rod. 

9  After  the  high-priest  had 
received  their  rods,  he  went  into 
the  temple  to  pray  ; 

10  And  when  he  had  finished 
his  prayer,  he  took  the  rods,  and 
went  forth  and  distributed  them, 
and  there  was  no  miracle  attend- 
ed them. 

11  The  last  rod  was  taken  by 
Joseph,  and  behold  a  dove  pro- 
ceeded out  of  the  rod,  and  flew 
upon  the  head  of  Joseph. 

12  And  the  high-priest  said, 
Joseph,  Thou  art  the  person  cho- 
sen to  take  the  Virgin  of  the 
Lord,  to  keep  her  for  him : 

13  But  Joseph  refused,  say- 
ing, I  am  an  old  man,  and  have 
children,  but  she  is  young,  and  I 
fear  lest  I  should  appear  ridicu- 
lous in  Israel. 

14  Then  the  high-priest  re- 
plied, Joseph,  fear  the  Lord  thy 
God,  and  remember  how  God 
dealt  with  Dathan,  Korah,  and 
Abii'am,  how  the  earth  opened 
and  swallowed  them  up,  because 
of  their  contradiction. 

15  Now  therefore,  Joseph,  fear 
God,  lest  the  like  things  should 
happen  in  your  family. 

16  Joseph  then  being  afraid, 
took  her  unto  his  house,  and  Jo- 
seph said  unto  Mary,  Behold,  I 
have  taken  thee  from  the  temple 
of  the  Lord,  and  now  I  will 
leave  thee  in  my  house  ;  I  must 

I-  go  to  mind  my  trade  of  building. 
The  Lord  be  with  thee. 

CHAP.  IX. 

1  The  priests  desire  a  new  veil  for  the 
temple,  3  seven  virgins  cast  lots  for 
making  different  parts  of  it,  4  the 
lot   to  spin   the  true   purple  falls  to 


Mary.  5  Zacharias,  the  high-priest, 
becomes  dumb.  7  Mary  takes  a  pot 
to  draw  water,  and  hears  a  voice,  8 
trembles  and  begins  to  work,  9  an 
angel  appears,  and  salutes  her,  and 
tells  her  she  shall  conceive  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  17  she  submits,  19  visits  her 
cousin  Elizabeth,  whose  child  in  her 
womb  leaps. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  in  a 
council  of  the  priests,  it 
was  said,  Let  us  make  a  new 
veil  for  the  temple. 

2  And  the  high-priest  said, 
Call  together  to  me  seven  unde- 
filed  virgins  of  the  tribe  of  David. 

3  And  the  servants  went  and 
brought  them  into  the  temple  of 
the  Lord,  and  the  high-priest 
said  unto  them  Cast  lots  before 
me  now,  who  of  you  shall  spin 
the  golden  thread,  who  the  blue, 
who  the  scarlet,  who  the  fine 
linen,  and  who  the  true  purple. 

4  Then  the  high-priest  knew 
Mary,  that  she  was  of  the  tribe 
of  David ;  and  he  called  her, 
and  the  true  purple  fell  to  her 
lot  to  spin,  and  she  went  away  to 
her  own  house. 

5  But  from  that  time  Zacha- 
rias the  high-priest  became 
dumb,  and  Samuel  was  placed 
in  his  room  till  Zacharias  spoke 
again. 

6  But  Mary  took  the  true 
purple,  and  did  spin  it. 

7  %  And  she  took  a  pot,  and 
went  out  to  draw  water,  and 
heard  a  voice  saying  unto  her, 
Hail  thou  who  art  full  of  grace,1 
the  Lord  is  with  thee  ;  thou  art 
blessed  among  women. 

8  And  she  looked  round  to  the 
right  and  to  the  left  (to  see) 
whence  that  voice  came,  and  then 
trembling  went  into  her  house, 
and  laying  down  the  water-pot 
she  took  the  purple,  and  sat 
down  in  her  seat  to  work  it. 


1  Luke  i.  28,  &c. 


29 


Joseph's  jealousy.    THE  PROTEVANGELIOK     He  is  warned. 


9  And  behold  the  angel  of  the 
Lord  stood  by  her,  and  said, 
Fear  not,  Mary,  for  thou  hast 
found  favour  in  the  sight  of  God  ; 

10  Which  when  she  heard,  she 
reasoned  with  herself  what  that 
sort  of  salutation  meant. 

11  And  the  angel  said  unto 
her,  The  Lord  is  with  thee,  and 
thou  shalt  conceive : 

12  To  which  she  replied, 
"What !  shall  I  conceive  by  the 
living  God,  and  bring  forth  as 
all  other  women  do  ? 

13  But  the  angel  returned 
answer,  Not  so,  O  Mary,  but  the 
Holy  Ghost  shall  come  upon 
thee,  and  the  power  of  the  Most 
High  shall  overshadow  thee  ; 

14  "Wherefore  that  which  shall 
be  born  of  thee  shall  be  holy, 
and  shall  be  called  the  Son  of 
the  Living  God,  and  thou  shalt 
call  his  name  Jesus  ;  for  he  shall 
save  his  people  from  their  sins. 

15  And  behold  thy  cousin 
Elizabeth,  she  also  hath  con- 
ceived a  son  in  her  old  age. 

16  And  this  now  is  the  sixth 
month  with  her,  who  was  called 
barren ;  for  nothing  is  impossi- 
ble with  God. 

17  And  Mary  said,  Behold 
the  handmaid  of  the  Lord ;  let 
it  be  unto  me  according  to  thy 
word. 

18  ^f  And  when  she  had 
wrought  her  purple,  she  carried 
it  to  the  high-priest,  and  the  I 
high-priest  blessed  her,  saying,  j 
Mary,  the  Lord  God  hath  mag- ' 
nified  thy  name,  and  thou  shalt 
be  blessed  in  all  the  ages  of  the 
world. 

19  Then  Mary,  filled  with  joy, 
went  away  to  her  cousin  Eliza- 
beth, and  knocked  at  the  door. 

20  Which  when  Elizabeth 
heard,  she  ran  and  opened  to 
her,  and  blessed  her,  and  said, 


Luke  ii 


Whence  is  this  to  me,  that  the 
mother  of  my  Lord  should  come 
unto  me? 

21  For  lo!  as  soon  as  the 
voice  of  thy  salutation  reached 
my  ears,  that  which  is  in  me 
leaped  and  blessed  thee. 

22  But  Mary,  being  ignorant 
of  all  those  mysterious  things 
which  the  archangel  Gabriel  had 
spoken  to  her,  lifted  up  her  eyes 
to  heaven,  and  said,  Lord ! 
What  am  I,  that  all  the  genera- 
tions of  the  earth  should  call  me 
blessed  ? 

23  But  perceiving  herself  daily 
to  grow  big,  and  being  afraid, 
she  went  home,  and  hid  herself 
from  the  children  of  Israel ;  and 
was  fourteen  years  old  when  all 
these  things  happened. 

CHAP.  X. 

1  Joseph  returns  from  building  houses, 
finds  the  Virgin  grown  big,  being  six 
months'  gone  with  child,  2  is  jealous 
and  troubled,  8  reproaches  her,  10 
she  affirms  her  innocence,  13  he  leaves 
her,  16  determines  to  dismiss  her  pri- 
vately, 17  is  warned  in  a  dream  that 
Mary  is  with  child  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
20  and  glorifies  God  who  hath  shewn 
him  such  favour. 

AND  when  her  sixth  month 
was  come,  Joseph  returned 
from  his  building  houses  abroad, 
which  was  his  trade,  and  enter- 
ing into  the  house,  found  the 
Virgin  grown  big: 

2  Then  smiting  upon  his  face, 
he  said,  With  what  face  can  I 
look  up  to  the  Lord  my  God  ? 
or,  what  shall  I  say  concerning 
this  young  woman  ? 

3  For  I  received  her  a  Virgin 
out  of  the  temple  of  the  Lord 
my  God,  and  have  not  preserved 
her  such  ! 

4  Who  has  thus  deceived  me  ? 
Who  has  committed  this  evil  in 
my  house,  and  seducing  the  Vir- 
gin from  me,  hath  denied  her  ? 
39,  Ac. 


30 


Joseph  and  Marys  THE  PROTEVANGELION.  chastity  proved. 


5  Is  not  the  history  of  Adam 
exactly  accomplished  in  me? 

6  For  in  the  very  instant  of 
his  glory,  the  serpent  came  and 
found  Eve  alone,  and  seduced 
her. 

7  Just  after  the  same  manner 
it  has  happened  to  me. 

8  Then  Joseph  arising  from 
the  ground,  called  her,  and  said, 

0  thou  who  hast  been  so  much 
favoured  by  God,  why  hast  thou 
done  this? 

9  Why  hast  thou  thus  debased 
thy  soul,  who  wast  educated  in 
the  Holy  of  Holies,  and  received 
thy  food  from  the  hand  of  an- 
gels? 

10  But  she,  with  a  flood  of 
tears,  replied,  I  am  innocent, 
and  have  known  no  man. 

11  Then  said  Joseph,  How 
comes  it  to  pass  you  are  with 
child? 

12  Mary  answered,  As  the 
Lord  my  God  liveth,  I  know 
not  by  what  means. 

13  ^f  Then  Joseph  was  ex- 
ceedingly afraid,  and  went  away 
from  her,  considering  what  he 
should  do  with  her ;  and  he  thus 
reasoned  with  himself:1 

14  If  I  conceal  her  crime,  I 
shall  be  found  guilty  by  the  law 
of  the  Lord  ; 

15  And  if  I  discover  her  to 
the  children  of  Israel,  I  fear, 
lest  she  being  with  child  by  an 
angel,  I  shall  be  found  to  betray 
the  life  of  an  innocent  person  : 

16  What  therefore  shall  I  do? 

1  will  privately  dismiss  her. 

17  Then  the  night  was  come 
upon  him,  when  behold  an  angel 
of  the  Lord  appeared  to  him  in 
a  dream,  and  said, 

18  Be  not  afraid  to  take  that 
young  woman,  for  that  which  is 
within  her  is  of  the  Holy  Ghost ; 


19  And  she  shall  bring  forth 
a  son,  and  thou  shalt  call  his 
name  Jesus,  for  he  shall  save 
his  people  from  their  sins. 

20  Then  Joseph  arose  from 
his  sleep,  and  glorified  the  God 
of  Israel,  who  had  shown  him 
such  favour,  and  preserved  the 
Virgin. 

CHAP.  XL 

3  Annas  visits  Joseph,  perceives  the 
Virgin  big  with  child,  4  informs  the 
high  pried  that  Joseph  had  privately 
married  her.  8  Joseph  and  Mary 
brought  to  trial  on  the  charge.  17 
Joseph  drinks  the  water  of  the  Lord 
as  an  ordeal,  and  receiving  no  harm, 
returns  home. 

THEN  came  Annas  the  scribe, 
and  said  to  Joseph,  Where- 
fore have  we  not  seen  you  since 
your  return? 

2  And  Joseph  replied,  Because 
I  was  weary  after  my  journey, 
and  rested  the  first  day. 

3  But  Annas  turning  about 
perceived  the  Virgin  big  with 
child. 

4  And  went  away  to  the 
priest,  and  told  him,  Joseph  in 
wThom  you  placed  so  much  con- 
fidence, is  guilty  of  a  notorious 
crime,  in  that  he  hath  defiled 
the  Virgin  whom  he  received 
out  of  the  temple  of  the  Lord, 
and  hath  privately  married  her, 
not  discovering  it  to  the  children 
of  Israel. 

5  Then  said  the  priest,  Hath 
done  this? 

6  Annas  replied,  If  you  send 
any  of  your  servants,  you  will 
find  that  she  is  with  child. 

7  And  the  servants  went,  and 
found  it  as  he  said. 

8  Upon  this  both  she  and  Jo- 
seph were  brought  to  their  trial, 
and  the  priest  said  unto  her, 
Mary,  what  hast  thou  done  ? 

9  Why  hast  thou  debased  thy 


1  See  Matt.  i.  18. 


31 


Joseph's  trial       THE  PROTEVANGELION".         and  acquittal. 


soul,  and  forgot  thy  God,  seeing 
thou  wast  brought  up  in  the 
Holy  of  Holies,  and  didst  receive 
thy  food  from  the  hands  of  an- 
gels, and  heardest  their  songs  ? 

10  Why  hast  thou  done  this  ? 

11  To  which  with  a  flood  of 
tears  she  answered,  As  the  Lord 
my  God  liveth,  I  am  innocent 
in  his  sight,  seeing  I  know  no 
man. 

12  Then  the  priest  said  to 
Joseph,  Why  hast  thou  done 
this  ? 

13  And  Joseph  answered,  As 
the  Lord  my  God  liveth,  I  have 
not  been  concerned  with  her. 

14  But  the  priest  said,  Lie 
not,  but  declare  the  truth  ;  thou 
hast  privately  married  her,  and 
not  discovered  it  to  the  children 
of  Israel,  and  humbled  thyself 
under  the  mighty  hand  (of  God), 
that  thy  seed  might  be  blessed. 

15  And  Joseph  was  silent. 

16  Then  said  the  priest  (to 
Joseph),  You  must  restore  to 
the  temple  of  the  Lord  the 
Virgin  which  you  took  thence. 

17  But  he  wept  bitterly,  and 
the  priest  added,  I  will  cause 
you  both  to  drink  the  water  of 
the  Lord,1  which  is  for  trial,  and 
60  your  iniquity  shall  be  laid 
open  before  you. 

18  Then  the  priest  took  the 
water,  and  made  Joseph  drink, 
and  sent  him  to  a  mountainous 
place. 

19  And  he  returned  perfectly 
well,  and  all  the  people  won- 
dered that  his  guilt  was  not  dis- 
covered. 

20  So  the  priest  said,  Since 
the  Lord  hath  not  made  your 
sins  evident,  neither  do  I  con- 
demn you. 

21  So  he  sent  them  away. 

22  Then  Joseph  took  Mary, 


Num.  v.  18. 


and  went  to  his  house,  rejoicing 
and  praising  the  God  of  Israel. 

CHAP.  XII. 

1  A  decree  from  Augustus  for  taxing 
the  Jews.  5  Joseph  puts  Mary  on  an 
ass,  to  return  to  Bethlehem,  6  she 
looks  sorrowful,  7  she  laughs,  8  Joseph 
inquires  the  cause  of  each,  9  she  tells 
him  she  sees  two  persons,  one  mourn- 
ing and  the  other  rejoicing,  10  the 
delivery  being  near,  he  takes  her  from 
the  ass,  and  places  her  in  a  cave. 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  that 
there  went  forth  a  decree5 
from  the  Emperor  Augustus, 
that  all  the  Jews  should  be 
taxed,  who  were  of  Bethlehem 
in  Judaea: 

2  And  Joseph  said,  I  will 
take  care  that  my  children  be 
taxed :  but  what  shall  I  do  with 
this  young  woman  ? 

3  To  have  her  taxed  as  my 
wife  I  am  ashamed ;  and  if  I 
tax  her  as  my  daughter,  all 
Israel  knows  she  is  not  my 
daughter. 

4  When  the  time  of  the  Lord's 
appointment  shall  come,  let  him 
do  as  seems  good  to  him. 

5  And  he  saddled  the  ass,  and 
put  her  upon  it,  and  Joseph  and 
Simon  followed  after  her,  and 
arrived  at  Bethlehem  within 
three  miles. 

6  Then  Joseph  turning  about 
saw  Mary  sorrowful,  and  said 
within  himself,  Perhaps  she  is 
in  pain  through  that  which  is 
within  her. 

7  But  when  he  turned  about 
again  he  saw  her  laughing,  and 
said  to  her, 

8  Mary,  how  happens  it,  that 
I  sometimes  see  sorrow,  and 
sometimes  laughter  and  joy  in 
thy  countenance  ? 

9  And  Mary  replied  to  him, 
I  see  two  people  with  mine  eyes, 

2  Luke  ii.  1. 


32 


THE  BIRTH   OF  CHRIST.  [Pace  M. 

FKOM  A    "  BOOK  OF  THE  EVANGELISTS."    GREEK  MANUSCRIPT  OF  THE  TWELFTH  CENTURY. 


Miracles  at  THE  PROTEVANGELION       Mary's  labom 


the  one  weeping  and  mourning, 
the  other  laughing  and  rejoicing. 

10  And  he  went  again  across 
the  way,  and  Mary  said  to  Jo- 
seph, Take  me  down  from  the  ass, 
for  that  which  is  in  me  presses  to 
come  forth. 

11  But  Joseph  replied,  Whi- 
ther shall  I  take  thee  ?  for  the 
place  is  desert. 

12  Then  said  Mary  again  to 
Joseph,  take  me  down,  for  that 
which  is  within  me  mightily 
presses  me. 

13  And  Joseph  took  her  down. 

14  And  he  found  there  a  cave, 
and  let  her  into  it. 

CHAP.  XIII. 

1  Joseph  seeks  a  Hebrew  midwife,  2 
perceives  the  fowls  stopping  in  their 
flight,  3  the  working  people  at  their 
food  not  moving,  8  the  sheep  stand- 
ing still,  9  the  shepherd  fixed  and 
immoveable,  10  and  kids  with  their 
mouths  touching  the  water  but  not 
drinking. 

AND  leaving  her  and  his  sons 
in  the  cave,  Joseph  went 
forth  to  seek  a  Hebrew  midwife 
in  the  village  of  Bethlehem. 

2  But  as  I  Avas  going  (said  Jo- 
seph) I  looked  up  into  the  air, 
and  I  saw  the  clouds  astonished, 
and  the  fowls  of  the  air  stop- 
ping in  the  midst  of  their  flight. 

3  And  I  looked  down  towards 
the  earth,  and  saw  a  table 
spread,  and  working  people  sit- 
ting around  it,  but  their  hands 
were  upon  the  table,  and  they 
did  not  move  to  eat. 

4  They  who  had  meat  in  their 
mouths  did  not  eat. 

5  They  who  lifted  their  hands 
up  to  their  heads  did  not  draw 
them  back  : 

6  And  they  who  lifted  them 
up  to  their  mouths  did  not  put 
anything  in ; 

7  But  all  their  faces  were 
fixed  upwards. 

'3 


8  And  I  beheld  the  sheep  dis- 
persed, and  yet  the  sheep  stood 
still. 

9  And  the  shepherd  lifted  up 
his  hand  to  smite  them,  and  his 
hand  continued  up. 

10.  And  I  looked  unto  a  river, 
and  saw  the  kids  with  their 
mouths  close  to  the  water,  and 
touching  it,  but  they  did  not 
drink. 

CHAP.  XIV. 

1  Joseph  finds  a  midwife.  10  A  bright 
cloud  overshadows  the  cave.  11  A 
great  light  in  the  cave,  gradually  in- 
creases until  the  infant  is  born.  13 
The  midwife  goes  out,  and  tells 
Salome  that  she  has  seen  a  virgin 
bring  forth.  17  Salome  doubts  it. 
20  her  hand  withers,  22  she  suppli- 
cates the  Lord,  28  is  cured,  30  but 
warned  not  to  declare  what  she  had 
seen. 

T  HEIST  I  beheld  a  woman  com- 
ing down  from  the  moun- 
tains, and  she  said  to  me,  Where 
art  thou  going,  O  man  ? 

2  And  I  said  to  her,  I  go  to 
inquire  for  a  Hebrew  midwife. 

3  She  replied  to  me,  Where 
is  the  woman  that  is  to  be  de- 
livered ?    • 

4  And  I  answered,  In  the 
cave,  and  she  is  betrothed  to  me. 

5  Then  said  the  midwife,  Is 
she  not  thy  wife  ? 

6  Joseph  answered,  It  is  Mary, 
who  was  educated  in  the  Holy 
of  Holies,  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord,  and  she  fell  to  my  lot, 
and  is  not  my  wife,  but  has  con- 
ceived by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

7  The  midwife  said,  Is  this 
true? 

8  He  answered,  Come  and 
see. 

9  And  the  midwife  went 
along  with  him,  and  stood  in  the 
cave. 

10  Then  a  bright  cloud  over- 
shadowed the  cave,  and  the  mid- 
33 


Christ  born. 


THE  PROTEVANGELION.    Salome's  unbelief. 


wife  said,  This  day  my  soul  is 
magnified,  for  mine  eyes  have 
seen  surprising  things,  and  sal- 
vation is  brought  forth  to  Israel. 

11  But  on  a  sudden  the  cloud 
became  a  great  light  in  the  cave, 
so  that  their  eyes  could  not  bear 
it. 

12  But  the  light  gradually 
decreased,  until  the  infant  ap- 
peared, and  sucked  the  breast  of 
his  mother  Mary. 

13  Then  the  midwife  cried 
out,  and  said,  How  glorious  a 
day  is  this,  wherein  mine  eyes 
have  seen  this  extraordinary 
sight ! 

14  And  the  midwife  went  out 
from  the  cave,  and  Salome  met 
her. 

15  And  the  midwife  said  to 
her,  Salome,  Salome,  I  will  tell 
you  a  most  surprising  thing 
which  I  saw, 

16  A  virgin  hath  brought 
forth,  which  is  a  thing  contrary 
to  nature. 

17  To  which  Salome  replied, 
As  the  Lord  my  God  liveth,  un- 
less I  receive  particular  proof 
of  this  matter,  I  will  not  believe 
that  a  virgin  hath  brought  forth. 

18  T  Then  Salome  went  in, 
and  the  midwife  said,  Mary, 
shew  thyself,  for  a  great  contro- 
versy is  risen  concerning  thee. 

19  And  Salome  received  satis- 
faction. 

20  But  her  hand  was  with- 
ered, and  she  groaned  bitterly. 

21  And  said,  Woe  to  me,  be- 
cause of  mine  iniquity ;  for  I 
have  tempted  the  living  God, 
and  my  hand  is  ready  to  drop 
.off. 

22  Then  Salome  made  her 
supplication  to  the  Lord,  and 
said,  O  God  of  my  fathers,  re- 
member   me,  for   I   am   of  the 


seed   of   Abraham,   and    Isaac, 
and  Jacob. 

23  Make  me  not  a  reproach 
among  the  children  of  Israel, 
but  restore  me  sound  to  my 
parents. 

24  For  thou  well  knowest,  O 
Lord,  that  I  have  performed 
many  offices  of  charity  in  thy 
name,  and  have  received  my  re- 
ward from  thee. 

25  Upon  this  an  angel  of  the 
Lord  stood  by  Salome,  and  said, 
The  Lord  God  hath  heard  thy 
prayer,  reach  forth  thy  hand  to 
the  child,  and  carry  him,  and  by 
that  means  thou  shalt  be  re- 
stored. 

26  Salome,  filled  with  exceed- 
ing joy,  went  to  the  child,  and 
said,  I  will  touch  him : 

27  And  she  purposed  to  wor- 
ship him,  for  she  said,  This  is  a 
great  king  which  is  born  in  Israel. 

28  And  straightway  Salome 
was  cured. 

29  Then  the  midwife  went 
out  of  the  cave,  being  approved 
by  God. 

30  And  lo !  a  voice  came  to 
Salome,  Declare  not  the  strange 
things  which  thou  hast  seen,  till 
the  child  shall  come  to  Jeru- 
salem. 

31  So  Salome  also  departed, 
approved  by  God. 

CHAP.  XV. 

1  Wise  men  come  from  the  east.  3  He- 
rod alarmed ;  8  desires  them  if  they 
find  the  child,  to  bring  him  word.  10 
They  visit  the  cave,  and  offer  the  child 
their  treasure,  11  and  being  warned 
in  a  dream,  do  not  return  to  Herod, 
but  go  home  another  way. 

THEN  Joseph  was  preparing 
to  go  away,  because  there 
arose  a  great  disorder  in  Bethle- 
hem by  the  coming  of1  some 
wise  men  from  the  east, 


34 


Matt.  ii.  1,  &c. 


Tie 


THE  PROTEVAls  GELION.    Star  in  the  Bad. 


2  Who  said,  Where  is  the 
king  of  the  Jews  born  ?  For  we 
have  seen  his  star  in  the  east, 
and  are  come  to  worship  him. 

3  When  Herod  heard  this,  he 
was  exceedingly  troubled,  and 
sent  messengers  to  the  wise  men, 
and  to  the  priests,  and  inquired 
of  them  in  the  town-hall, 

4  And  said  unto  them,  Where 
have  you  it  written  concerning 
Christ  the  king,  or  where  should 
he  be  born  ? 

5  Then  they  say  unto  him,  In 
Bethlehem  of  Judsea;  for  thus 
it  is  written  :  And  thou  Bethle- 
hem in  the  land  of  Judah,  art 
not  the  least  among  the  princes 
of  Judah,  for  out  of  thee  shall 
come  a  ruler,  who  shall  rule  my 
people  Israel. 

6  And  having  sent  away  the 
chief  priests,  he  inquired  of  the 
wise  men  in  the  town-hall,  and 
said  unto  them,  What  sign  was 
it  ye  saw  concerning  the  king 
that  is  born  ? 

7  They  answered  him,  We 
saw  an  extraordinary  large  star 
shining  among  the  stars  of  hea- 
ven, and  so  out-shined  all  the 
other  stars,  as  that  they  became 
not  visible,  and  we  knew  thereby 
that  a  great  king  was  born  in 
Israel,  and  therefore  we  are 
come  to  worship  him. 

8  Then  said  Herod  to  them, 
Go  and  make  diligent  inquiry ; 
and  if  ye  find  the  child,  bring 
me  word  again,  that  I  may  come 
and  worship  him  also. 

9  So  the  wise  men  went  forth, 
and  behold,  the  star  which  they 
saw  in  the  east  went  before 
them,  till  it  came  and  stood  over 
the  cave  where  the  young  child 
was  with  Mary  his  mother. 

10  Then  they  brought  forth 
out  of  their  treasures,  and  offered 


unto  him  gold  and  frankincense, 
and  myrrh. 

11  And  being  warned  in  a 
dream  by  an  angel,  that  they 
should  not  return  to  lien  d 
through  Judoca,  they  departed 
into  their  own  country  by  an- 
other way. 

CIIAB.  XVI. 

1  Herod  enraged,  orders  the  infants  in 
Bethlehem  to  be  slain.  2  Mi 
her  infant  in  an  ox  manger,  o  Eli- 
sabeth flees  with  her  son  John  to  tic 
mountains.  G  A  mountain  miracu- 
lously divides  and  receives  them.  9 
Herod  incensed  at  the  escape  of  John. 
causes  Zacharias  to  be  murdered  at 
the  altar,  23  the  roofs  of  the  temple 
rent,  the  body  miraculously  conveyed, 
and  the  blood  petrified.  25  Israel 
mourns  for  him.  27  Simeon  chosen 
his  successor  by  lot. 

THEN"  Herod1  perceiving  that 
he  was  mocked  by  the  wise 
men,  and  being  very  angry, 
commanded  certain  men  to  go 
and  to  kill  all  the  children  that 
were  in  Bethlehem,  from  two 
years  old  and  under. 

2  But  Mary  hearing  that  the 
children  were  to  be  killed,  being 
under  much  fear,  took  the  child, 
and  wrapped  him  up  in  swad- 
dling clothes,  and  laid  him  in 
an  ox-manger,2  because  there 
was  no  room  for  them  in  the  inn. 

3  Elizabeth  also,  hearing  that 
her  son  John  Avas  about  to  be 
searched  for,  took  him  and  went 
up  unto  the  mountains,  and 
looked  around  for  a  place  to 
hide  him  ; 

4  And  there  was  no  secret 
place  to  be  found. 

5  Then  she  groaned  within 
herself,  and  said,  O  mountain 
of  the  Lord,  receive  the  mother 
with  the  child. 

6  For  Elizabeth  could  not 
climb  up. 


1  Matt.  ii.  16.     2 


Luke  ii.  7  is  alluded  to,  though  misapplied  33  to 

35 


Herod's  cruelty.    THE  PROTEVANGELION.   Zaclis.  murdered. 


7  And  instantly  the  mountain 
was  divided  and  received  them. 

8  And  there  appeared  to  them 
an  angel  of  the  Lord,  to  pre- 
serve them. 

9  T[  But  Herod  made  search 
after  John,  and  sent  servants  to 
Zacharias,  when  he  was  (minis- 
tering) at  the  altar,  and  said 
unto  him,  Where  hast  thou  hid 
thy  son  ? 

10  He  replied  to  them,  I  am 
a  minister  of  God,  and  a  servant 
at  the  altar ;  how  should  I  know 
where  my  son  is  ? 

11  So  the  servants  went  back, 
and  told  Herod  the  whole ;  at 
which  he  was  incensed,  and 
said,  Is  not  this  son  of  his  like 
to  be  king  in  Israel  ? 

12  He  sent  therefore  again 
his  servants  to  Zacharias,  saying, 
Tell  us  the  truth,  where  is  thy 
son,  for  you  know  that  your  life 
is  in  my  hand. 

13  So  the  servants  went  and 
told  him  all  this  : 

14  But  Zacharias  replied  to 
them,  I  am  a  martyr  for  God, 
and  if  he  shed  my  blood,  the 
Lord  will  receive  my  soul. 

15  Besides  know  that  ye  shed 
innocent  blood. 

16  However  Zacharias  was 
murdered  in  the  entrance  of  the 
temple  and  altar,  and  about  the 
partition ; 


17  But  the  children  of  Israel 
knew  not  when  he  was  killed. 

18  ^f  Then  at  the  hour  of  sa- 
lutation the  priests  went  into  the 
temple,  but  Zacharias  did  not 
according  to  custom  meet  them 
and  bless  them ; 

19  Yet  they  still  continued 
waiting  for  him  to  salute  them  ; 

20  And  when  they  found  he 
did  not  in  a  long  time  come, 
one  of  them  ventured  into  the 
holy  place  where  the  altar  was, 
and  he  saw  blood  lying  upon 
the  ground  congealed ; 

21  When,  behold,  a  voice 
from  heaven  said,  Zacharias  is 
murdered,  and  his  blood  shall 
not  be  wiped  away,  until  the 
revenger  of  his  bleed  come. 

22  But  when  he  heard  this, 
he  was  afraid,  and  went  forth 
and  told  the  priests  what  he  had 
seen  and  heard ;  and  they  all 
Avent  in,  and  saw  the  fact. 

23  Then  the  roofs  of  the  tem- 
ple howled,  and  were  rent  from 
the  top  to  the  bottom : 

24  And  they  could  not  find 
the  body,  but  only  blood  made 
hard  like  stone. 

25  And  they  went  away,  and 
told  the  people,  that  Zacharias 
was  murdered,  and  all  the  tribes 
of  Israel  heard  thereof,  and 
mourned  for  him,  and  lamented 
three  days.1 


1  There  is  a  story  both  in  the  Jerusalem  and  Babylonish  Talmud  very 
similar  to  this.  It  "is  cited  by  Dr.  Lightfoot,  Talmud,  Hicrosol,  in  Taannith, 
fob  69 ;  and  Talmud,  Babyl.  in  Sankedr.,  fob  96.  "  Eabbi  Joehanan  said. 
Eighty  thousand  priests  were  slain  for  the  blood  of  Zacharias.  Eabbi 
Judas  asked  Eabbi  Achan,  Where  did  they  kill  Zacharias  ?  "Was  it  in  the 
woman's  court,  or  in  the  court  of  Israel?  He  answered:  Keither  in  the 
court  of  Israel,  nor  in  the  court  of  women,  but  in  the  court  of  the  priests; 
and  they  did  not  treat  his  blood  in  the  same  manner  as  they  were  wont 
to  treat  the  blood  of  a  ram  or  a  young  goat.  For  of  these  it  is  written, 
He  shall  pour  out  his  blood,  and  cover  it  with  dust.  But  it  is  written 
here,  The  blood  is  in  the  midst  of  her :  she  set  it  upon  the  top  of  the  rock ; 
she  poured  it  not  upon  the  ground.  (Ezek.  xxiv.  7.)  But  why  was  this? 
That  it  might  cause  fury  to  come  up  to  take  vengeance :  I  have  set  his 
blood  upon  the  top  of  a*  rock,  that  it  should  not  be  covered.  They  com- 
mitted seven  evils  that  day:  they  murdered  a  priest,  a  prophet,  and  a 
36 


Simeon  succeeds    THE  PROTEVANGELION. 


Zacharias. 


26  Then  the  priests  took 
counsel  together  concerning  a 
person  to  succeed  him. 

27  And  Simeon  and  the  other 
priests  cast  lots,  and  the  lot  fell 
upon  Simeon. 

28  For  he  had  been  assured 
by  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  he 
should  not  die,  till  he  had  seen 
Christ  come  in  the  flesh.1 


If  I  James  wrote  this  History  in  Je- 
rusalem :  and  when  the  disturbance  was 
I  retired  into  a  desert  place,  until  the 
death  of  Herod.  And  the  disturbance 
ceased  at  Jerusalem.  That  which  re- 
mains is,  that  I  glorify  God  that  he  hath 
given  me  such  wisdom  to  write  unto  you 
who  are  spiritual,  and  who  love  God: 
to  whom  (be  ascribed)  glory  and  domi- 
nion for  ever  and  ever,  Amen. 


king;  they  shed  the  blood  of  the  innocent:  they  polluted  the  court:  that 
day  was  the  Sabbath :  and  the  day  of  expiation.  When  therefore  Nebuzara- 
dan  came  there  (viz.  Jerusalem),  he  saw  his  blood  bubbling,  and  said  to 
them,  What  meaneth  this  ?  They  answered,  It  is  the  blood  of  calves,  lambs, 
and  rams,  which  we  have  offered  upon  the  altar.  He  commanded  then,  that 
they  should  bring  calves,  and  lambs,  and  rams,  and  said  I  will  try  whether 
this  be  their  blood :  accordingly  they  brought  and  slew  them,  but  the  blood 
of  (Zacharias)  still  bubbled,  but  the  blood  of  these  did  not  bubble.  Then  he 
said,  Declare  to  me  the  truth  of  the  matter,  or  else  I  will  comb  your  flesh 
with  iron  combs.  Then  said  they  to  him,  He  was  a  priest,  prophet,  and 
judge,  who  prophesied  to  Israel  all  these  calamities  which  we  have  suffered 
from  you  ;  but  we  arose  against  him,  and  slew  him.  Then,  said  he,  I  will  ap- 
pease him :  then  he  took  the  rabbins  and  slew  them  upon  his  (viz.  Zacharias'e) 
blood,  and  he  was  not  yet  appeased.  Next  he  took  the  young  boys  from  the 
schools,  and  slew  them  upon  his  blood,  and  yet  it  bubbled.  Then  lie  brought 
the  young  priests  and  slew  them  in  the  same  place,  and  yet  it  still  bubbled. 
So  he  slew  at  length  ninety-four  thousand  persons  upon  his  blood,  and  it  did 
not  as  yet  cease  bubbling.  Then  he  drew  near  to  it,  and  said,  O  Zacharias, 
Zacharias,  thou  hast  occasioned  the  death  of  the  chief  of  thy  countrymen ; 
shall  I  slav  them  all  ?  then  the  blood  ceased,  and  did  bubble  no  more." 
^ukeii.  26. 


37 


The  first  Gospel  of  the  INFANCY  of  JESUS  CHRIST. 

[Mr.  Henry  Sike,  Professor  of  Oriental  Languages  at  Cambridge,  first  trans- 
lated and  published  this  Gospel  in  1697.  It  was  received  by  the  Gnostics, 
a  sect  of  Christians  in  the  second  century ,  and  several  of  its  relations  were 
credited  in  the  following  ages  by  other  Christians,  viz.,  Eusebius,  Athana- 
sius,  Epiphanius,  Chrysostom,  &c.  Sozomen  says,  he  was  told  by  many, 
and  he  credits  the  relations,  of  the  idols  in  Egypt  falling  down  on  Joseph, 
and  Mary's  flight  thither  with  Christ ;  and  of  Christ  making  a  well  to  wash 
his  clothes  in  a  sycamore  tree,  from  whence  balsam  aiterwards  proceeded. 
These  stories  are  from  this  Gospel.  Chemnitlui;  out  of  Stipulensis,  who 
had  it  from  Peter  Martyr,  Bishop  of  Alexandria,  in  the  third  century,  says, 
that  the  place  in  Egypt  where  Christ  was  banished  is  now  called  Matarea, 
about  ten  miles  beyond  Cairo ;  that  the  inhabitants  constantly  burn  a  lamp 
in  remembrance  of  it ;  and  that  there  is  a  garden  of  trees  yielding  a  bal- 
sam, which  were  planted  by  Christ  when  a  boy.  M.  La  Crosse  cites  a 
synod  at  Angamala,  in  the  mountains  of  Malabar,  a.d.  1599,  which  con- 
demns this  Gospel  as  commonly  read  by  the  Nestorians  in  that  country. 
Ahmed  Ibu  Idris,  a  Mahometan  divine,  says,  it  was  used  by  some  Chris- 
tians in  common  with  the  other  four  Gospels;  and  Ocobius  de Castro  men- 
tions a  Gospel  of  Thomas,  which  he  says,  he  saw  and  had  translated  to 
him  by  an  Armenian  Archbishop  at  Amsterdam,  that  was  read  in  very 
many  churches  of  Asia  and  Africa,  as  the  only  rule  of  their  faith.  Fabri- 
cius  takes  it  to  be  this  Gospel.  It  has  been  supposed,  that  Mahomet  and 
his  coadjutors  used  it  in  compiling  the  Koran.  There  are  several  stories 
believed  of  Christ  proceeding  from  this  Gospel ;  as  that  which  Mr.  Sike 
relates  out  of  La  Brosse's  Persic  Lexicon,  that  Christ  practised  the  trade 
of  a  dyer,  and  his  Avorking  a  miracle  with  the  colours;  from  whence  the 
Persian  dyers  honour  him  as  their  patron,  and  call  a  dye-house  the  shop 
of  Christ.  Sir  John  Chardin  mentions  Persian  legends  concerning 
Christ's  dispute  with  his  schoolmaster  about  his  ABC;  and  his  lengthen- 
ing the  cedar-board  which  Joseph  sawed  too  short.] 


CHAP.  I. 

1  Caiaphas  relates,  that  Jesus  when  in 
his  cradle,  informed  his  mother,  that 
he  was  the  Son  of  God.  5  Joseph  and 
Mary  going  to  Bethlehem  to  be  taxed, 
Mary's  time  of  bringing  forth  arrives, 
and  she  goes  into  a  cave.  8  Joseph 
fetches  in  a  Hebrew  woman,  the  cave 
fiUled  with  great  lights.  11  The  in- 
fant born,  17  cures  the  woman,  19 
arrival  of  the  shepherds. 

THE  following  accounts  we 
.  found  in  the  book  of  Jo- 
seph the  high-priest,  called  by 
some  Caiaphas : 

2  He  relates,  that  Jesus  spake 
even  when  he  was  in  the  cradle, 
and  said  to  his  mother : 

3  Mary,  I  am  Jesus  the  Son  of 
God,  that  word  which  thou  didst 
bring  forth  according  to  the  de- 
claration of  the  angel  Gabriel  to 
thee,  and  my  father  hath  sent  me 
for  the  salvation  of  the  world. 


4  ^f  In  the  three  hundred  and 
ninth  year  of  the  sera  of  Alexan- 
der, Augustus  published  a  decree 
that  all  persons  should  go  to  be 
taxed  in  their  own  country. 

5  Joseph  therefore  arose,  and 
with  Mary  his  spouse  he  went  to 
Jerusalem,  and  then  came  to 
Bethlehem,  that  he  and  his 
family  might  be  taxed  in  the 
city  of  his  fathers. 

6  And  when  they  came  by  the 
cave,  Mary  confessed  to  Joseph 
that  her  time  of  bringing  forth 
was  come,  and  she  could  not  go 
on  to  the  city,  and  said,  Let  us 
go  into  this  cave. 

7  At  that  time  the  sun  Avas 
very  near  going  down. 

8  But  Joseph  hastened  away, 
that  he  might  fetch  her  a  mid- 
wife ;  and  when  he  saw  an  old 
Hebrew  woman  who  was  of  Jeru- 


Christ  bom  and 


I.  INFANCY,      circumcised  in  the 


salem,  lie  said  to  her,  Pray  come 
hither,  good  woman,  and  go  into 
that  cave,  and  you  will  there  see 
a  woman  just  ready  to  bring 
forth. 

9  It  was  after  sunset,  when 
the  old  woman  and  Joseph  with 
her  reached  the  cave,  and  they 
both  went  into  it. 

10  And  behold,  it  was  all  filled 
with  lights,  greater  than  the 
light  of  lamps  and  candles,  and 
greater  than  the  light  of  the  sun 
itself. 

11  The  infant  was  then  wrap- 
ped up  in  swaddling  clothes,  and 
sucking  the  breasts  of  his  mother 
St.  Mary. 

12  When  they  both  saw  this 
light,  they  were  surprised ;  the 
old  woman  asked  St.  Mary,  Art 
thou  the  mother  of  this  child  ? 

13  St.  Mary  replied,  She  was. 

14  On  which  the  old  woman 
said,  Thou  art  very  different 
from  all  other  women. 

15  St.  Mary  answered,  As 
there  is  not  any  child  like  to  my 
son,  so  neither  is  there  any  wo- 
man like  to  his  mother. 

16  The  old  woman  answered, 
and  said,  0  my  Lady,  I  am  come 
hither  that  I  may  obtain  an  ev- 
erlasting reward. 

17  Then  our  Lady,  St.  Mary, 
said  to  her,  Lay  thine  hands 
upon  the  infant ;  which,  when 
sh3  had  done,  she  became  whole. 

18  And  as  she  was  going  forth, 
she  said,  From  henceforth,  all 
the  days  of  my  life,  I  will  attend 
upon  and  be  a  servant  of  this  in- 
fant. 

19  After  this,  when  the  shep- 
herds came,  and  had  made  a  fire, 
and  they  were  exceedingly  re- 
joicing, the  heavenly  host  ap- 
peared to  them,  praising  and 
adoring  the  supreme  God. 

20  And  as  the  shepherds  were  j 
engaged   in   the   same    employ- ' 


ment,  the  cave  at  that  time 
seemed  like  a  glorious  temple, 
because  both  the  tongues  of  an- 
gels and  men  united  to  adore 
and  magnify  God,  on  account  of 
the  birth  of  the  Lord  Christ. 

21  But  when  the  old  Hebrew 
woman  saw  all  these  evident 
miracles,  she  gave  praises  to  God, 
and  said,  I  thank  thee,  O  God, 
thou  God  of  Israel,  for  that  mine 
eyes  have  seen  the  birth  of  the 
Saviour  of  the  world. 

CHAP  II. 

1  The  child  circumcised  in  the  cave,  2 
and  the  old  woman  preserving  his  fore- 
skin or  navel-string  in  a  box  of  spike- 
nard, Mary  afterwards  anoints  Christ 
with  it.  5  Christ  brought  to  the  tem- 
ple, 6  shines,  7  angels  stand  around 
him  adoring.  8  Simeon  praises 
Christ. 

AND  when  the  time  of  his  cir- 
cumcision was  come,  name- 
ly, the  eighth  day,  on  which  the 
law  commanded  the  child  to  be 
circumcised,  they  circumcised 
him  in  the  cave. 

2  And  the  old  Hebrew  woman 
took  the  foreskin  (others  say  she 
took  the  navel-string),"and  pre- 
served it  in  an  alabaster-box  of 
old  oil  of  spikenard. 

3  And  she  had  a  son  who  was 
a  druggist,  to  whom  she  said, 
Take  heed  thou  sell  not  this  ala- 
baster box  of  spikenard-oint- 
ment, although  thou  shouldst  be 
offered  three  hundred  pence  for 
it. 

4  Now  this  is  that  alabaster- 
box  which  Mary  the  sinner  pro- 
cured, and  poured  forth  the 
ointment  out  of  it  upon  the  head 
and  the  feet  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  wiped  it  off  with  the 
hairs  of  her  head. 

5  Then  after  ten  days  they 
brought  him  to  Jerusalem,  and 
on  the  fortieth  day  from  his 
birth  they  presented  him  in  the 

39 


The  wise  men  worship        I.  INFANCY.      Christ's  swaddling  cloth. 


temple  before  the  Lord,  making 
the  proper  offerings  for  him,  ac- 
cording to  the  requirement  of 
the  law  of  Moses :  namely,  that 
every  male  which  opens  the 
womb  shall  be  called  holy  unto 
God. 

6  At  that  time  old  Simeon 
saw  him  shining  as  a  pillar  of 
light,  when  St.  Mary  the  Virgin, 
his  mother,  carried  him  in  her 
arms,  and  was  filled  with  the 
greatest  pleasure  at  the  sight. 

7  And  the  angels  stood  around 
him,  adoring  him,  as  a  king's 
guards  stand  around  him. 

8  Then  Simeon  going  near  to 
St.  Mary,  and  stretching  forth 
his  hands  towards  her,  said  to 
the  Lord  Christ,  Now,  O  my 
Lord,  thy  servant  shall  depart 
in  peace,  according  to  thy  word  ; 

9  For  mine  eyes  have  seen 
thy  mercy,  which  thou  hast  pre- 
pared for  the  salvation  of  all  na- 
tions ;  a  light  to  all  people,  and 
the  glory  of  thy  people  Israel. 

10  Hannah  the  prophetess 
was  also  present,  and  drawing 
near,  she  gave  praises  to  God, 
and  celebrated  the  happiness  of 
Mary. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  The  wise  men  visit  Christ.  Mary  gives 
them  one  of  his  swaddling  clothes.  3 
An  angel  appears  to  them  in  the  form 
of  a  star.  'They  return  and  make  a 
fire,  and  worship  the  swaddling  cloth, 
and,  put  it  in  the  fire,  where  it  remains 
unconsumed 

AND  it  came  to  pass,  when  the 
Lord  Jesus  was  born  at 
Bethlehem,  a  city  of  Judaea,  in 
the  time  of  Herod  the  King ; 
the  wise  men  came  from  the 
East  to  Jerusalem,  according  to 
the  prophecy  of  Zoradascht,1 
and  brought  with  them  offer- 
ings :  namely,  gold,  frankin- 
cense, and  myrrh,  and  worship- 


ped him,  and  offered  to  him  their 
gifts. 

2  Then  the  Lady  Mary  took 
one  of  his  swaddling  clothes  in 
which  the  infant  was  wrapped, 
and  gave  it  to  them  instead  of  a 
blessing,  which  they  received 
from  her  as  a  most  noble  pres- 
ent. 

3  And  at  the  same  time  there 
appeared  to  them  an  angel  in 
the  form  of  that  star  which  had 
before  been  their  guide  in  their 
journey;  the  light  of  which  they 
followed  till  they  returned  into 
their  own  country. 

4  \  On  their  return  their 
kings  and  princes  came  to  them 
inquiring,  What  they  had  seen 
and  done  ?  What  sort  of  journey 
and  return  they  had  ?  What 
company  they  had  on  the  road  ? 

5  But  they  produced  the  swad- 
dling cloth  which  St.  Mary  had 
given  to  them,  on  account  where- 
of they  kept  a  feast. 

6  And  having,  according  to 
the  custom  of  their  country, 
made  a  fire,  they  worshipped  it. 

7  And  casting  the  swaddling 
cloth  into  it,  the  fire  took  it,  and 
kept  it. 

8  And  when  the  fire  was  put 
out,  they  took  forth  the  swad- 
dling cloth  unhurc,  as  much  as  if 
the  fire  had  not  touched  it. 

9  Then  they  began  to  kiss  it, 
and  put  it  upon  their  heads  and 
their  eyes,  saying,  This  is  cer- 
tainly an  undoubted  truth,  and  it 
is  really  surprising  that  the  fire 
could  not  burn  it,  and  consume  it. 

10  Then  they  took  it,  and 
with  the  greatest  respect  laid  it 
up  among  their  treasures. 

CHAP.  IV. 

1  Herod  intends  to  put  Christ  to  death. 
3  An  angel  warns  Joseph  to  take  the 
child  and  its  mother  into  Efjypt.  6 
Consternation  on  their  arrival.     13 


40 


1  Zoroaster. 


An  Idol  falls.    Christ's     I.  INFANCY,  swaddling  cloth  heals  a  boy. 

and  had  turned  into  that  inn, 
all  the  inhabitants  of  the  city- 
were  astonished. 

10  And  all  the  magistrates 
and  priests  of  the  idols  assem- 
bled before  that  idol,  and  made 
inquiry  there,  saying,  What 
means  all  this  consternation, 
and  dread,  which  has  fallen 
upon  all  our  country  ? 

11  The  idol  answered  them, 
The  unknown  God  is  come 
hither,  who  is  truly  God;  nor 
is  there  any  one  besides  him, 
who  is  worthy  of  divine  wor- 
ship ;  for  he  is  truly  the  Son  of 
God. 

12  At  the  fame  of  him  this 
country  trembled,  and  at  his 
coming  it  is  under  the  present 
commotion  and  consternation ; 
and  we  ourselves  are  affrighted 
by  the  greatness  of  his  power. 

13  And  at  the  same  instant 
this  idol  fell  down,  and  at  his 
fall  all  the  inhabitants  of  Egypt, 
besides  others,  ran  together. 

14  ^f  Bat  the  son  of  the  priest, 
when  his  usual  disorder  came 
upon  him,  going  into  the  inn, 
found  there  Joseph  and  St. 
Mary,  whom  all  the  rest  had 
left  behind  and  forsook. 

15  And  when  the  Lady  St. 
Mary  had  washed  the  swaddling 
clothes  of  the  Lord  Christ,  and 
hanged  them  out  to  dry  upon  a 
post,  the  boy  possessed  with  the 
devil  took  down  one  of  them, 
and  put  it  upon  his  head. 

16  And  presently  the  devils 
began  to  come  out  of  his  mouth, 
and  fly  away  in  the  shape  of 
crows  and  serpents. 

17  From  that  time  the  boy 
was  healed  by  the  power  of  the 
Lord  Christ,  and  he  began  to 
sing  praises,  and  give  thanks  to 
the  Lord  who  had  healed  him. 

18  When  his  father  saw  him 
restored   to  his  former  state  of 


The  idols  fall  down.  15  Mary  washes 
Christ's  swaddling  clothes,  and  hangs 
them  to  dry  on  a  post.  16  A  son  of 
the  chief  priest  puts  one  on,  his  head, 
and  being  possessed  of  devils,  they 
leave  him. 

"VTOW  Herod,  perceiving  that 
J_M  the  wise  men  did  delay, 
and  not  return  to  him,  called 
together  the  priests  and  wise  men 
and  said,  Tell  me  in  what  place 
the  Christ  should  be  born  ? 

2  And  when  they  replied,  in 
Bethlehem,  a  city  of  Judaea,  he 
began  to  contrive  in  his  own 
mind  the  death  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

3  But  an  angel  of  the  Lord 
appeared  to  Joseph  in  his  sleep, 
and  said,  Arise,  take  the  child 
and  his  mother,  and  go  into 
Egypt  as  soon  as  the  cock  crows. 
So  he  arose,  and  went. 

4  If  And  as  he  was  consider- 
ing with  himself  about  his  jour- 
ney, the  morning  came  upon 
him. 

5  In  the  length  of  the  journey 
the  girts  of  the  saddle  broke. 

6  And  now  he  drew  near  to 
a  great  city,  in  which  there  was 
an  idol,  to  which  the  other  idols 
and  gods  of  Egypt  brought  their 
offerings  and  vows. 

7  And  there  was  by  this  idol 
a  priest  ministering  to  it,  who, 
as  often  as  Satan  spoke  out  of 
that  idol,  related  the  things  he 
said  to  the  inhabitants  of  Egypt, 
and  those  countries. 

8  This  priest  had  a  son  three 
years  old,  who  was  possessed 
with  a  great  multitude  of  devils, 
who  uttered  many  strange  things, 
and  when  the  devils  seized  him, 
walked  about  naked  with  his 
clothes  torn,  throwing  stones  at 
those  whom  he  saw. 

9  Near  to  that  idol  was  the 
inn  of  the  city,  into  which  when 
Joseph  and  St.  Mary  were  come, 


Flight  into  Egypt 


I.  INFANCY. 


Mary  cures  a  ivoman. 


health,  he  said,  My  son,  what 
has  happened  to  thee,  and  by 
what  means  wert  thou  cured  ? 

19  The  son  answered,  When 
the  devils  seized  me,  I  went  into 
the  inn,  and  there  found  a  very 
handsome  woman  with  a  boy, 
whose  swaddling  clothes  she  had 
just  before  washed,  and  hanged 
out  upon  a  post. 

20  One  of  these  I  took,  and 
put  it  upon  my  head,  and  imme- 
diately the  devils  left  me,  and 
fled  away. 

21  At  this  the  father  exceed- 
ingly rejoiced,  and  said,  My  son, 
perhaps  this  boy  is  the  son  of  the 
living  God,  who  made  the  hea- 
vens and  the  earth. 

22  For  as  soon  as  he  came 
amongst  us,  the  idol  was  broken, 
and  all  the  gods  fell  down,  and 
were  destroyed  by  a  greater 
power. 

23  Then  was  fulfilled  the  pro- 
phecy which  saith,  Out  of  Egypt 
I  have  called  my  son. 

CHAP.  V. 

1  Joseph  and  Mary  leave  Egypt.  3 
Go  to  the  haunts  of  robbers,  4  Who, 
hearing  a  mighty  noise  as  of  a  great 
army,  flee  away. 

"JVTOW  Joseph  and  Mary,  when 
_LM  they  heard  that  the  idol 
was  fallen  down  and  destroyed, 
were  seized  with  fear  and  tremb- 
ling, and  said,  "When  we  were 
in  the  land  of  Israel,  Herod,  in- 
tending to  kill  Jesus,  slew  for 
that  purpose  all  the  infants  at 
Bethlehem,  and  that  neighbour- 
hood. 

2  And  there  is  no  doubt  but 
the  Egyptians  if  they  come  to 
hear  that  this  idol  is  broken  and 
fallen  down,  will  burn  us  with 
fire. 

3  They  went  therefore  hence 
to  the  secret  places  of  robbers, 
who  robbed  travellers  as  they 
pass  by,  of  their  carriages  and 

42 


their   clothes,  and  carried  them 
away  bound. 

4  These  thieves  upon  their 
coming  heard  a  great  noise,  such 
as  the  noise  of  a  king  with  a 
great  army  and  many  horses, 
and  the  trumpets  sounding  at 
his  departure  from  his  own  city  ; 
at  which  they  were  so  affrighted 
as  to  leave  all  their  booty  be- 
hind them,  and  fly  away  in  haste. 

5  Upon  this  the  prisoners 
arose,  and  loosed  each  other's 
bonds,  and  taking  each  man  his 
bags,  they  went  away,  and  saw 
Joseph  and  Mary  coming  to- 
wards them,  and  inquired,  Where 
is  that  king,  the  noise  of  whose 
approach  the  robbers  heard,  and 
left  us,  so  that  we  are  now  come 
off  safe? 

6  Joseph  answered,  He  will 
come  after  us. 

CHAP.  VI. 

1  Mary  looks  on  a  woman  in  whom 
Satan  had  taken  up  his  abode,  and 
she  becomes  dispossessed.  5  Christ 
kissed  by  a  bride  made  dumb  by  sor- 
cerers, cures  her,  11  miraculously  cures 
a  gentlewoman  in  whom  Satan  had 
taken  up  his  abode.  16  A  leprous 
girl  cured  by  the  water  in  which  he 
was  washed,  and  becomes  the  servant 
of  Mary  and  Joseph.  20  The  lep- 
rous son  of  a  prince's  wife  cured  in 
like  manner.  37  His  mother  offers 
large  gifts  to  Mary,  and  dismisses  her. 

THEN  they  w:ent  into  another 
city  where  there  was  a 
woman  possessed  with  a  devil, 
and  in  whom  Satan,  that  cursed 
rebel,  had  taken  up  his  abode. 

2  One  night,  when  she  went 
to  fetch  water,  she  could  neither 
endure  her  clothes  on,  nor  to  be 
in  any  house ;  but  as  often  as 
they  tied  her  with  chains  or 
cords,  she  brake  them,  and  went 
out  into  desert  places,  and  some- 
times standing  where  roads 
crossed,  and  in  churchyards, 
would  throw  stones  at  men. 


Christ  cures  a  dumb  bride,  I.  INFANCY.        The  possessed  woman, 


3  When  St.  Mary  saw  this  wo- 
man, she  pitied  her  ;  whereupon 
Satan  presently  left  her,  and  fled 
away  in  the  form  of  a  young 
man,  saying,  Wo  to  me,  because 
of  thee,  Mary,  and  thy  son. 

4  So  the  woman  was  delivered 
from  her  torment;  but  consid- 
ering herself  naked,  she  blushed, 
and  avoided  seeing  any  man,  and 
having  put  on  her  clothes,  went 
home,  and  gave  an  account  of 
her  case  to  her  father  and  rela- 
tions, who,  as  they  were  the  best 
of  the  city,  entertained  St.  Mary 
and  Joseph  with  the  greatest  re- 
spect. 

5  The  next  morning  having 
received  a  sufficient  supply  of 
provisions  for  the  road,  they 
went  from  them,  and  about  the 
evening  of  the  day  arrived  at 
another  town,  where  a  marriage 
was  then  about  to  be  solemnized  ; 
but  by  the  arts  of  Satan  and  the 
practices  of  some  sorcerers,  the 
bride  was  become  so  dumb,  that 
she  could  not  so  much  as  open 
her  mouth. 

6  But  when  this  dumb  bride 
saw  the  Lady  St.  Mary  entering 
into  the  town,  and  carrying  the 
Lord  Christ  in  her  arms,  she 
stretched  out  her  hands  to  the 
Lord  Christ,  and  took  him  in  her 
arms,  and  closely  hugging  him, 
very  often  kissed  him,  continu- 
ally moving  him  and  pressing 
him  to  her  body. 

7  Straightway  the  string  of 
her  tongue  was  loosed,  and  her 
ears  were  opened,  and  she  began 
to  sing  praises  unto  God,  who 
had  restored  her. 

8  So  there  was  great  joy 
among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  that  night,  who  thought 
that  God  and  his  angels  were 
come  down  among  them. 

9  T[  In  this  place  they  abode 
three    days,    meeting    with   the 


greatest  respect  and  most  splen- 
did entertainment. 

10  And  being  then  furnished 
by  the  people  with  provisions  for 
the  road,  they  departed  and  went 
to  another  city,  in  which  they 
were  inclined  to  lodge,  because 
it  was  a  famous  place. 

11  There  was  in  this  city  a 
gentlewoman,  who,  as  she  ;went 
down  one  day  to  the  river  to 
bathe,  behold  cursed  Satan  leaped 
upon  her  in  the  form  of  a  serpent, 

12  And  folded  himself  about 
her  belly,  and  every  night  lay 
upon  her. 

13  This  woman  seeing  the 
Lady  St.  Mary,  and  the  Lord 
Christ  the  infant  in  her  bosom, 
asked  the  Lady  St.  Mary,  that 
she  would  give  her  the  child  to 
kiss,  and  carry  in  her  arms. 

11  When  she  had  consented, 
and  as  soon  as  the  woman  had 
moved  the  child,  Satan  left  her, 
and  fled  away,  nor  did  the  wo- 
man ever  afterwards  see  him. 

15  Hereupon  all  the  neigh- 
bours praised  the  Supreme  God, 
and  the  woman  rewarded  them 
with  ample  beneficence. 

16  On  the  morrow  the  same 
woman  brought  perfumed  water 
to  wash  the  Lord  Jesus ;  and 
when  she  had  washed  him,  she 
preserved  the  water. 

17  And  there  was  a  girl  there, 
whose  body  was  white  with  a 
leprosy,  who  being  sprinkled  with 
this  water,  and  washed,  was  in- 
stantly cleansed  from  her  le- 
prosy. 

18  The  people  therefore  said 
Without  doubt  Joseph  and 
Mary,  and  that  boy  are  Gods, 
for  they  do  not  look  like  mortals. 

19  And  when  they  were  mak- 
ing ready  to  go  away,  the  girl, 
who  had  been  troubled  with  the 
leprosy,  came  and  desired  they 
would   permit  her  to   go  along 

43 


two  leprous  persons,  and  I.  INFANCY  a  newly  married  man. 


with  them;  so  they  consented, 
and  the  girl  went  with  them  till 
they  came  to  a  city,  in  which 
was  the  palace  of  a  great  king, 
and  whose  house  was  not  far  from 
the  inn. 

20  Here  they  staid,  and  when 
the  girl  went  one  day  to  the 
prince's  wife,  and  found  her  in  a 
sorrowful  and  mournful  condi- 
tion, she  asked  her  the  reason  of 
her  tears. 

21  She  replied,  Wonder  not 
at  my  groans,  for  I  am  under  a 
great  misfortune,  of  which  I  dare 
not  tell  any  one. 

22  But,  says  the  girl,  if  you 
will  entrust  me  with  your  private 
grievance,  perhaps  I  may  find 
you  a  remedy  for  it. 

23  Thou,  therefore,  says  the 
prince's  wife,  shalt  keep  the  se- 
cret, and  not  discover  it  to  any 
one  alive ! 

24  I  have  been  married  to  this 
prince,  who  rules  as  king  over 
large  dominions,  and  lived  long 
with  him,  before  he  had  any 
child  by  me. 

25  At  length  I  conceived  by 
him,  but  alas !  I  brought  forth  a 
leprous  son ;  which,  when  he  saw, 
he  would  not  own  to  be  his,  but 
said  to  me, 

26  Either  do  thou  kill  him,  or 
send  him  to  some  nurse  in  such 
a  place,  that  he  may  be  never 
heard  of;  and  now  take  care  of 
yourself;  I  will  never  see  you 
more. 

27  So  here  I  pine,  lamenting 
my  wretched  and  miserable  cir- 
cumstances. Alas,  my  son  !  alas, 
my  husband !  Have  I  disclosed 
it  to  you  ? 

28  The  girl  replied,  I  have 
found  a  remedy  for  your  disease, 
which  I  promise  you,  for  I  also 
was  leprous,  but  God  hath  cleans- 
ed me,  even  he  who  is  called 
Jesus,  the  son  of  the  Lady  Mary. 


29  The  woman  inquiring 
where  that  God  was,  whom  she 
spake  of,  the  girl  answered  He 
lodges  with  you  here  in  the  same 
house. 

30  But  how  can  this  be  ?  says 
she ;  where  is  he  ?  Behold,  re- 
plied the  girl,  Joseph  and  Mary ; 
and  the  infant  who  is  with  them 
is  called  Jesus :  and  it  is  he  who 
delivered  me  from  my  disease 
and  torment. 

31  But  by  what  means,  says 
she,  were  you  cleansed  from  your 
leprosy  ?  Will  you  not  tell  me 
that  ? 

32  Why  not?  says  the  girl ;  I 
took  the  water  with  which  his 
body  had  been  washed,  and 
poured  it  upon  me,  and  my  le- 
prosy vanished. 

33  The  prince's  wife  then 
arose  and  entertained  them,  pro- 
viding a  great  feast  for  Joseph 
among  a  large  company  of  men. 

34  And  the  next  day  took 
perfumed  water  to  wash,  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  afterwards 
poured  the  same  water  upon  her 
son,  whom  she  had  brought  with 
her,  and  her  son  was  instantly 
cleansed  from  his  leprosy. 

35  Then  she  sang  thanks  and 
praises  unto  God,  and  said, 
Blessed  is  the  mother  that  bare 
thee,  O  Jesus ! 

36  Dost  thou  thus  cure  men 
of  the  same  nature  with  thyself, 
with  the  water  with  which  thy 
body  is  washed  ? 

37  She  then  offered  very  large 
gifts  to  the  Lady  Mary,  and  sent 
her  away  with  all  imaginable  re- 
spect. 

CHAP.  VII. 

1  A  man  who  could  not  enjoy  his  wife, 
freed  from  his  disorder.  5  A  young 
man  ivho  had  been  bewitched,  and 
turned  into  a  nude,  miraculously  cured 
by  Christ  being  put  on  his  back.  28 
and  is  married  to  the  girl  who  had 
been  cured  of  leprosy. 


A  bewitched  young  man         INFANCY.  restored  to  his  shape. 


THEY    came    afterwards     to 
another   city,  and   had    a 
mind  to  lodge  there. 

2  Accordingly  they  went  to  a 
man's  house,  who  was  newly 
married,  but  by  the  influence  of 
sorcerers  could  not  enjoy  his 
wife : 

3  But  they  lodging  at  his 
house  that  night,  the  man  was 
freed  of  his  disorder  : 

4  And  when  they  were  pre- 
paring early  in  the  morning  to 
go  forward  on  their  journey,  the 
new  married  person  hindered 
them,  and  provided  a  noble  en- 
tertainment for  them  ? 

5  But  going  forward  on  the 
morrow,  they  came  to  another 
city,  and  saw  three  women  going 
from  a  certain  grave  with  great 
weeping. 

6  When  St.  Mary  saw  them, 
she  spake  to  the  girl  who  was 
their  companion,  saying,  Go  and 
inquire  of  them,  what  is  the 
matter  with  them,  and  what  mis- 
fortune has  befallen  them  ? 

7  When  the  girl  asked  them, 
they  made  her  no  answer,  but 
asked  her  again,  Who  are  ye, 
and  where  are  ye  going?  For 
the  day  is  far  spent,  and  the 
night  is  at  hand. 

8  We  are  travellers,  saith  the 
girl,  and  are  seeking  for  an  inn 
to  lodge  at. 

9  They  replied,  Go  along  with 
us,  and  lodge  with  us. 

10  They  then  followed  them, 
and  were  introduced  into  a  new 
house,  well  furnished  with  all 
sorts  of  furniture. 

11  It  was  now  winter-time, 
and  the  girl  went  into  the  par- 
lour where  these  women  were, 
and  found  them  weeping  and 
lamenting,  as  before. 

12  By  them  stood  a  mule, 
covered  over  with  silk,  and  an 
ebony  collar  hanging  down  from 


his  neck,  whom  they  kissed,  and 
were  feeding. 

13  But  when  the  girl  said, 
How  handsome,  ladies,  that  mule 
is  !  they  replied  with  tears,  and 
said,  This  mule,  which  you  see, 
was  our  brother,  born  of  this 
same  mother  as  we  : 

14  For  when  our  father  died, 
and  left  us  a  very  large  estate, 
and  we  had  only  this  brother, 
and  we  endeavoured  to  procure 
him  a  suitable  match,  and 
thought  he  should  be  married  as 
other  men,  some  giddy  and  jeal- 
ous woman  bewitched  him  with- 
out our  knowledge. 

15  And  we,  one  night,  a  little 
before  day,  while  the  doors  of 
the  house  were  all  fast  shut,  saw 
this  our  brother  was  changed  in- 
to a  mule,  such  as  you  now  see 
him  to  be : 

16  And  we,  in  the  melancholy 
condition  in  which  you  see  us, 
having  no  father  to  comfort  us, 
have  applied  to  all  the  wise 
men,  magicians,  and  diviners  in 
the  world,  but  they  have  been  of 
no  service  to  us. 

17  As  often  therefore  as  we 
find  ourselves  oppressed  with 
grief,  we  rise  and  go  with  this 
our  mother  to  our  father's  tomb, 
where,  when  we  have  cried  suf- 
ficiently we  return  home. 

18  When  the  girl  had  heard 
this,  she  said,  Take  courage,  and 
cease  your  fears,  for  you  have  a 
remedy  for  your  afflictions  near 
at  hand,  even  among  you  and  in 
the  midst  of  your  house, 

19  For  I  :was  also  leprous; 
but  when  I  saw  this  woman,  and 
this  little  infant  with  her,  whose 
name  is  Jesus,  I  sprinkled  my 
body  with  the  water  with  which 
his  mother  had  washed  him,  and 
I  was  presently  made  well. 

20  And  I  am  certain  that  he 
is  also  capable  of  relieving  you 

45 


A  bewitched  young  man    I.  INFANCY. 


restored  and  married. 


under  your  distress.  Wherefore, 
arise,  go  to  my  mistress,  Mary, 
and  when  you  have  brought  her 
into  your  own  parlour,  disclose 
to  her  the  secret,  at  the  same 
time,  earnestly  beseeching  her  to 
compassionate  your  case. 

21  As  soon  as  the  women  had 
heard  the  girl's  discourse,  they 
hastened  away  to  the  Lady  St. 
Mary,  introduced  themselves  to 
her,  and  sitting  down  before  her, 
they  wept. 

22  And  said,  0  our  Lady  St. 
Mary,  pity  your  handmaids,  for 
we  have  no  head  of  our  family, 
no  one  older  than  us  ;  no  father, 
or  brother  to  go  in  and  out  be- 
fore us. 

23  But  this  mule,  which  you 
see,  was  our  brother,  which  some 
woman  by  witchcraft  have 
brought  into  this  condition  which 
you  see :  we  therefore  entreat 
you  to  compassionate  us. 

24  Hereupon  St.  Mary  was 
grieved  at  their  case,  and  taking 
the  Lord  Jesus,  put  him  upon 
the  back  of  the  mule. 

25  And  said  to  her  son,  0 
Jesus  Christ,  restore  (or  heal) 
according  to  thy  extraordinary 
power  this  mule,  and  grant  him 
to  have  again  the  shape  of  a 
man  and  a  rational  creature,  as 
he  had  formerly. 

26  This  was  scarce  said  by  the 
Lady  St.  Mary,  but  the  mule 
immediately  passed  into  a  hu- 
man form,  and  became  a  young 
man  without  any  deformity. 

27  Then  he  and  his  mother 
and  the  sisters  worshipped  the 
Lady  St.  Mary,  and  lifting  the 
child  upon  their  heads,  they 
kissed  him,  and  said,  Blessed  is 
thy  mother,  O  Jesus,  O  Saviour 
of  the  world !  Blessed  are  the 
eyes  which  are  so  happy  as  to 
see  thee. 

28  Then  both  the  sisters  told 

46 


their  mother,  saying,  Of  a  truth 
our  brother  is  restored  to  his  for- 
mer shape  by  the  help  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  kind- 
ness of  that  girl,  who  told  us  of 
Mary  and  her  son. 

29  And  inasmuch  as  our  bro- 
ther is  unmarried,  it  is  fit  that 
we  marry  him  to  this  girl  their 
servant. 

30  When  they  had  consulted 
Mary  in  this  matter,  and  she  had 
given  her  consent,  they  made  a 
splendid  wedding  for  this  girl. 

31  And  so  their  sorrow  being 
turned  into  gladness,  and  their 
mourning  into  mirth,  they  began 
to  rejoice,  and  to  make  merry, 
and  sing,  being  dressed  in  their 
richest  attire,  with  bracelets. 

32  Afterwards  they  glorified 
and  praised  God,  saying,  O 
Jesus  son  of  David  who  changest 
sorrow  into  gladness,  and  mourn- 
ing into  mirth  ! 

33  After  this  Joseph  and  Mary 
tarried  there  ten  days,  then  went 
away,  having  received  great  re- 
spect from  those  people ; 

34  Who,  when  they  took  their 
leave  of  them,  and  returned 
home,  cried, 

35  But  especially  the  girl. 

CHAP.  VIII. 

1  Joseph  and  Mary  pass  through  a 
country  infested  by  robbers,  3  Titus, 
a  humane  thief,  offers  Dumachus,  his 
comrade,  forty  groats  to  let  Joseph  and 
Mary  pass  unmolested.  6  Jesus  pro- 
phesies that  the  thieves,  Dumachus  and 
Titus,  shall  be  crucified  with  him,  and 
that  Titus  shall  go  before  him  into 
Paradise.  10  Christ  causes  a  well  to 
spring  from  a  sycamore  tree,  and 
Mary  washes  his  coat  in  it.  11  A 
balsam  grows  there  from  his  sweat. 
They  go  to  Memphis,  where  Christ 
works  more  miracles.  Return  to  Ju- 
dcea.  15  being  warned,  depart  for 
Nazareth. 

N  their  journey  from  hence 
they  came  into  a  desert  coun- 


I 


The  two  thieves. 


I.  INFANCY. 


The  sick  healed. 


try,  and  were  told  it  was  infested ' 
with  robbers ;  so  Joseph  and  St. 
Mary  prepared  to  pass  through 
it  in  the  night. 

2  And  as  they  were  going 
along,  behold  they  saw  two  rob- 
bers asleep  in  the  road,  and  with 
them  a  great  number  of  robbers, 
who  were  their  confederates,  also 
asleep. 

3  The  names  of  these  two  were 
Titus  and  Dumachus ;  and  Titus 
said  to  Dumachus,  I  beseech  thee 
let  those  persons  go  along  quietly, 
that  our  company  may  not  per- 
ceive anything  of  them  : 

4  But  Dumachus  refusing,  Ti- 
tus again  said,  I  "will  give  thee 
forty  groats,  and  as  a  pledge  take 
my  girdle,  which  he  gave  him 
before  he  had  done  speaking, 
that  he  might  not  open  his 
mouth,  or  make  a  noise. 

5  When  the  Lady  St.  Mary 
saw  the  kindness  which  this  rob- 
ber did  shew  them,  she  said  to 
him,  The  Lord  God  will  receive 
thee  to  his  right  hand,  and  grant 
thee  pardon  of  thy  sins. 

6  Then  the  Lord  Jesus  an- 
swered, and  said  to  his  mother, 
When  thirty  years  are  expired, 
O  mother,  the  Jews  will  crucify 
me  at  Jerusalem ; 

7  And  these  two  thieves  shall 
be  with  me  at  the  same  time  upon 
the  cross,  Titus  on  my  right  hand, 
and  Dumachus  on  my  left,  and 
from  that  time  Titus  shall  go  be- 
fore me  into  paradise : 

8  And  when  she  had  said,  God 
forbid  this  should  be  thy  lot,  O 
my  son,  they  went  on  to  a  city 
in  which  were  several  idols ; 
which,  as  soon  as  they  came 
near  to  it,  was  turned  into  hills 
of  sand. 

9  T  Hence  they  went  to  that 
sycamore  tree,  which  is  now 
called  Matarea ; 

10  And  in  Matarea  the  Lord 


Jesus  caused  a  well  to  spring 
forth,  in  which  St.  Mary  washed 
his  coat ; 

11  And  a  balsam  is  produced, 
or  grows,  in  that  country  from 
the  sweat  which  ran  down  there 
from  the  Lord  Jesus. 

12  Thence  they  proceeded  to 
Memphis,  and  saw  Pharaoh,  and 
abode  three  years  in  Egypt. 

13  And  the  Lord  Jesus  did 
very  many  miracles  in  Egypt, 
which  are  neither  to  be  found  in 
the  Gospel  of  the  Infancy  nor  in 
the  Gospel  of  Perfection. 

14  \  At  the  end  of  three  years 
he  returned  out  of  Egypt,  and 
when  he  came  near  to  Judaea, 
Joseph  was  afraid  to  enter ; 

15  For  hearing  that  Herod 
was  dead,  and  that  Archelaus 
his  son  reigned  in  his  stead,  he 
was  afraid ; 

16  And  when  he  went  to  Ju- 
daea, an  angel  of  God  appeared 
to  him,  and  said,  O  Joseph,  go 
into  the  city  Nazareth,  ancl  abide 
there. 

17  It'is  strange  indeed  that  he, 
who  is  the  Lord  of  all  countries, 
should  be  thus  carried  backward 
and  forward  through  so  many 
countries. 

CHAP.  IX. 

2  Two   sick    children  cured   by    water 
wherein    Christ  was  washed. 

WHEN  they  came  afterwards 
into  the  city  Bethlehem, 
they  found  there  several  very 
desperate  distempers,  which  be- 
came so  troublesome  to  children 
by  seeing  them,  that  most  of  them 
died. 

2  There  was  there  a  woman 
who  had  a  sick  son,  whom  she 
brought,  when  he  was  at  the 
point  of  death,  to  the  Lady  St. 
Mary,  who  saw  her  when  she 
was  washing  Jesus  Christ. 

3  Then  said  the  woman,  0  my 

47 


Christ's  water  cures. 


I.  INFANCY.     Caleb's  miraculous  cures. 


Lady  Mary,  look  down  upon  this 
my  son,  who  is  afflicted  with  most 
dreadful  pains. 

4.  St.  Mary  hearing  her,  said, 
Take  a  little  of  that  water  with 
which  I  have  washed  my  son,  and 
sprinkle  it  upon  him. 

5  Then  she  took  a  little  of  that 
water,  as  St.  Mary  had  com- 
manded, and  sprinkled  it  upon 
her  son,  who  being  wearied  with 
his  violent  pains,  had  fallen 
asleep ;  and  after  he  had  slept  a 
little,  awaked  perfectly  well  and 
recovered. 

6  The  mother  being  abundant- 
ly glad  of  this  success,  went  again 
to  St.  Mary,  and  St.  Mary  said 
to  her,  Give  praise  to  God,  who 
hath  cured  this  thy  son. 

7  There  was  in  the  same  place 
another  woman,  a  neighbour  of 
her,  whose  son  was  now  cured. 

8  This  woman's  son  was  af- 
flicted with  the  same  disease,  and 
his  eyes  were  now  almost  quite 
shut,  and  she  was  lamenting  for 
him  day  and  night. 

9  The  mother  of  the  child 
which  was  cured,  said  to  her, 
Why  do  you  not  bring  your  son 
to  St.  Mary,  as  I  brought  my  son 
to  her,  when  he  was  in  the  agonies 
of  death ;  and  he  was  cured  by 
that  water,  with  which  the  body 
of  her  son  Jesus  was  washed  ? 

10  When  the  woman  heard 
her  say  this,  she  also  went,  and 
having  procured  the  same  water, 
washed  her  son  with  it,  where- 
upon his  body  and  his  eyes  were 
instantly  restored  to  their  former 
state. 

11  And  when  she  brought  her 
son  to  St.  Mary,  and  opened  his 
case  to  her,  she  commanded  her 
to  give  thanks  to  God  for  the 
recovery  of  her  son's  health,  and 
tell  no  one  what  had  happened. 

48 


CHAP.  X. 

1  Two  wives  of  one  man,  each  have  a 
son  sick.  2  One  of  them,  named  Mary, 
and  whose  son's  name  was  Caleb, 
presents  the  Virgin  with  a  handsome 
carpet,  and  Caleb  is  cured;  but  the 
son  of  the  other  wife  dies,  4' 'which  oc- 
casions a  difference  between  the  women. 
5  The  other  wife  puts  Caleb  into  a  hot 
oven,  and  he  is  miraculously  preserved ; 
9  she  afterwards  throws  him  into  a, 
well,  and  he  is  again  preserved;  11  his 
mother  appeals  to  the  Virgin  against 
the  other  wife,  12,  whose  downfall  the 
Virgin  prophesies,  13  and  who  accord- 
ingly falls  into  the  well,  14  therein  ful- 
filling a  saying  of  old. 

THERE  were  in  the  same  city 
two  wives  of  one  man,  who 
had  each  a  son  sick.  One  of 
them  was  called  Mary  and  her 
son's  name  was  Caleb. 

2  She  arose,  and  taking  her 
son,  went  to  the  Lady  St.  Mary, 
the  mother  of  Jesus,  and  offered 
her  a  very  handsome  carpet,  say- 
ing, O  my  Lady  Mary  accept  this 
carpet  of  me,  and  instead  of  it 
give  me  a  small  swaddling  cloth. 

3  To  this  Mary  agreed,  and 
when  the  mother  of  Caleb  was 
gone,  she  made  a  coat  for  her 
son  of  the  swaddling  cloth,  put 
it  on  him,  and  his  disease  was 
cured  ;  but  the  son  of  the  other 
wife  died. 

4  ^f  Hereupon  there  arose  be- 
tween them,  a  difference  in  doing 
the  business  of  the  family  by 
turns,  each  her  week. 

5  And  when  the  turn  of  Mary 
the  mother  of  Caleb  came,  and 
she  was  heating  the  oven  to  bake 
bread,  and  went  away  to  fetch 
the  meal,  she  left  her  son  Caleb 
by  the  oven ; 

6  Whom,  the  other  wife,  her 
rival,  seeing  to  be  by  himself, 
took  and  cast  him  into  the  oven, 
which  was  very  hot,  and  then 
went  away. 

7  Mary  on  her  return  saw  her 
son  Caleb  lying  in  the  middle  of 


Uti 


fus; 


iif  >2» 


THE  BIRTH  OF  CHRIST.  [Pnpe  H. 

FKOM  A    "  BOOK  OF  THE  EVANGELISTS."    GREEK  MANUSCRIPT  OF  THE  TWELFTH  CENTURY. 


Caleb's  life  twice  saved.     I.  INFANCY.    In/ant  Bartholomew  cured. 


the  oven  laughing,  and  the  oven 
quite  as  cold  as  though  it  had 
not  been  before  heated,  and  knew 
that  her  rival  the  other  wife  had 
thrown  him  into  the  fire. 

8  When  she  took  him  out, 
she  brought  him  to  the  Lady  St. 
Mary,  and  told  her  the  story, 
to  whom  she  replied,  Be  quiet,  I 
am  concerned  lest  thou  shouldest 
make  this  matter  known. 

9  After  this  her  rival,  the 
other  wife,  as  she  was  drawing 
water  at  the  well,  and  saw  Caleb 
playing  by  the  well,  and  that 
no  one  was  near,  took  him,  and 
threw  him  into  the  well. 

10  And  when  some  men  came 
to  fetch  water  from  the  well, 
they  saw  the  boy  sitting  on  the 
superficies  of  the  water,  and 
drew  him  out  with  ropes,  and 
were  exceedingly  surprised  at 
the  child,  and  praised  God. 

11  Then  came  the  mother  and 
took  him  and  carried  him  to  the 
Lady  St.  Mary,  lamenting  and 
saying,  O  my  Lady,  see  what  my 
rival  hath  done  to  my  son,  and 
how  she  hath  cast  him  into  the 
well,  and  I  do  not  question  but 
one  time  or  other  she  will  be  the 
occasion  of  his  death. 

12  St.  Mary  replied  to  her, 
God  will  vindicate  your  injured 
cause. 

13  Accordingly  a  few  days 
after,  when  the  other  wife  came 
to  the  well  to  draw  water,  her 
foot  was  entangled  in  the  rope,  so 
that  she  fell  headlong  into  the 
well,  and  they  who  ran  to  her  as- 
sistance, found  her  skull  broken, 
and  bones  bruised. 

14  So  she  came  to  a  bad  end, 
and  in  her  was  fulfilled  that  say- 
ing of  the  author,  They  digged  a 
well,  and  made  it  deep,  but  fell 
themselves  into  the  pit  which 
they  prepared. 


CHAP.  XL 

1  Bartholomew,  when  a  child  and  sick, 
miraculously  restored  by  being  laid  on 
Christ's  bed. 

ANOTHER    woman  in   that 
city  had  likewise  two  sons 
sick. 

2  And  when  one  was  dead, 
the  other,  who  lay  at  the  point 
of  death,  she  took  in  her  arms 
to  the  Lady  St.  Mary,  and  in  a 
flood  of  tears  addressed  herself 
to  her,  saying, 

3  O  my  Lady,  help  and  re- 
lieve me;  for  I  had  two  sons, 
the  one  I  have  just  now  buried, 
the  other  I  see  is  just  at  the  point 
of  death,  behold  how  I  (earnest- 
ly) seek  favour  from  God,  and 
pray  to  him. 

4  Then  she  said,  O  Lord,  thou 
art  gracious,  and  merciful,  and 
kind ;  thou  hast  given  me  two 
sons ;  one  of  them  thou  hast 
taken  to  thyself,  O  spare  me 
this  other. 

5  St.  Mary  then  perceiving 
the  greatness  of  her  sorrow,  pit- 
ied her  and  said,  Do  thou  place 
thy  son  in  my  son's  bed,  and 
cover  him  with  his  clothes. 

6  And  when  she  had  placed 
him  in  the  bed  wherein  Christ 
lay,  at  the  moment  when  his 
eyes  were  just  closed  by  death  ; 
as  soon  as  ever  the  smell  of  the 
garments  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  reached  the  boy,  his  eyes 
were  opened,  and  calling  with  a 
loud  voice  to  his  mother,  he 
asked  for  bread,  and  when  he 
had  received  it,  he  sucked  it. 

7  Then  his  mother  said,  O 
Lady  Mary,  now  I  am  assured 
that  the  powers  of  God  do  dwell 
in  you,  so  that  thy  son  can  cure 
children  who  are  of  the  same 
sort  as  himself,  as  soon  as  they 
touch  his  garments. 

8  This    boy    who    was    thus 

49 


Leprous  woman  healed.   I.  INFANCY.    Leprous  princess  cured  by 


cured,  is  the  same  who   in   the 
Gospel  is  called  Bartholomew. 

CHAR   XII. 

1  A  leprovs  woman  healed  by  Christ's 
washing  water.  7  A  princess  healed 
by  it  and  restored  to  her  husband. 

AGAIN  there  was  a  leprous 
woman  who  went  to  the 
Lady  St.  Mary,  the  mother  of 
Jesus,  and  said,  O  my  Lady, 
help  me. 

2  St.  Mary  replied,  what  help 
dost  thou  desire  ?  Is  it  gold  or 
silver,  or  that  thy  body  be  cured 
of  its  leprosy  ? 

3  Who,  says  the  woman,  can 
grant  me  this  ? 

4  St.  Mary  replied  to  her, 
"Wait  a  little  till  I  have  washed 
my  son  Jesus,  and  put  him  to 
bed. 

5  The  woman  waited,  as  she 
■was  commanded ;  and  Mary 
when  she  had  put  Jesus  in  bed, 
giving  her  the  water  with  which 
she  had  washed  his  body,  said, 
Take  some  of  the  water,  and 
pour  it  upon  thy  body ; 

6  Which  when  she  had  done, 
she  instantly  became  clean,  and 
praised  God,  and  gave  thanks  to 
him. 

7  T[  Then  she  went  away, 
after  she  had  abode  with  her 
three  days : 

8  And  going  into  the  city, 
she  saw  a  certain  prince,  who 
had  married  another  prince's 
daughter  ; 

9  But  when  he  came  to  see 
her,  he  perceived  between  her 
eyes  the  signs  of  leprosy  like  a 
star,  and  thereupon  declared  the 
marriage  dissolved  and  void. 

10  When  the  woman  saw 
these  persons  in  this  condition, 
exceedingly  sorrowful,  and  shed- 
ding abundance  of  tears,  she  in- 
quired of  them  the  reason  of 
their  crying. 

50 


11  They  replied,  Inquire  not 
into  our  circumstances ;  for  we 
are  not  able  to  declare  our  mis- 
fortunes to  any  person  whatso- 
ever. 

12  But  still  she  pressed  and 
desired  them  to  communicate 
their  case  to  her,  intimating,  that 
perhaps  she  might  be  able  to 
direct  them  to  a  remedy. 

13  So  when  they  shewed  the 
young  woman  to  her,  and  the 
signs  of  the  leprosy,  which  ap- 
peared between  her  eyes, 

14  She  said,  I  also,  whom  ye 
see  in  this  place,  was  afflicted 
with  the  same  distemper,  and 
going  on  some  business  to  Beth- 
lehem, I  went  into  a  certain  cave, 
and  saw  a  woman  named  Mary, 
who  had  a  son  called  Jesus. 

15.  She  seeing  me  to  be  lep- 
rous, was  concerned  for  me,  and 
gave  me  some  water  with  which 
she  had  washed  her  son's  body  ; 
with  that  I  sprinkled  my  body, 
and  became  clean. 

16  Then  said  these  women, 
Will  you,  Mistress,  go  along 
with  us,  and  shew  the  Lady  St. 
Mary  to  us  ? 

17  To  which  she  consent- 
ing, they  arose  and  went  to  the 
Lady  St.  Mary,  taking  with 
them  very  noble  presents. 

18  And  when  they  came  in 
and  offered  their  presents  to  her, 
they  showed  the  leprous  young 
woman  what  they  brought  with 
them  to  her. 

19  Then  said  St.  Mary,  The 
mercy  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
rest  upon  you  ; 

20  And  giving  them  a  little  of 
that  water  with  which  she  had 
washed  the  body  of  Jesus  Christ, 
she  bade  them  wash  the  diseased 
person  with  it ;  which  when  they 
had  done,  she  was  presently 
cured ; 

21  So  they,  and  all  who  were 


Christ's  washing  water.     I.  INFANCY. 


Girl  whose  blood 


g resent,  praised  God ;  and  being 
lied  with  joy,  they  went  back  to 
their  own  city,  and  gave  praise  to 
God  on  that  account. 

22  Then  the  prince  hearing  that 
his  wife  was  cured,  took  her  home 
and  made  a  second  marriage,  giv- 
ing thanks  unto  God  for  the  re- 
covery of  his  wife's  health. 

CHAP.  XIII. 

1  A  girl,  whose  blood  Satan  sucked,  re- 
ceives one  of  Christ's  swaddling  clothes 
from  the  Virgin.  14  Satan  comes  like 
a  dragon,  and  she  shews  it  to  him; 
flames  and  burning  coals  proceed  from 
it  and  fall  upon  him;  19  he  is  mira- 
culously discomfited,  and  leaves  the 
girl. 

THERE  was  also  a  girl,  who 
was  afflicted  by  Satan ; 

2  For  that  cursed  spirit  did  fre- 
quently appear  to  her  in  the  shape 
of  a  dragon,  and  was  inclined  to 
swallow  her  up,  and  had  so  sucked 
out  all  her  blood,  that  she  looked 
like  a  dead  carcase. 

3  As  often  as  she  came  to  her- 
self, with  her  hands  wringed  about 
her  head  she  would  cry  out,  and 
say,  "Wo,  Wo  is  me,  that  there  is 
no  one  to  be  found  who  can  deliv- 
er me  from  that  impious  dra- 
gon! 

4  Her  father  and  mother,  and 
all  who  were  about  her  and  saw 
her,  mourned  and  wept  over 
her  ; 

5  And  all  who  were  present 
would  especially  be  under  sorrow 
and  in  tears,  when  they  heard 
her  bewailing,  and  saying,  My 
brethren  and  friends,  is  there  no 
one  who  can  deliver  me  from  this 
murderer  ? 

6  Then  the  prince's  daughter, 
who  had  been  cured  of  her  lepro- 
sy, hearing  the  complaint  of  that 
girl,  went  upon  the  top  of  her 
castle,  and  saw  her  with  her  hands 
twisted  about  her  head,  pouring 
out  a  flood  of  tears,  and  all  the 


people  that  were  about  her  in  sor- 
row. 

7  Then  she  asked  the  husband 
of  the  possessed  person,  Whether 
his  wife's  mother  was  alive  ?  He 
told  her,  That  her  father  and  mo- 
ther were  both  alive. 

8  Then  she  ordered  her  mother 
to  be  sent  to  her:  to  whom,  when 
she  saw  her  coming,  she  said,  Is 
this  possessed  girl  thy  daughter  ? 
She  moaning  and  bewailing  said, 
Yes,  madam,  I  bore  her. 

9  The  prince's  daughter  an- 
swered, Disclose  the  secret  of  her 
case  to  me,  for  I  confess  to  you 
that  I  was  leprous,  but  the  Lady 
Mary,  the  mother  of  Jesus  Christ, 
healed  me. 

10  And  if  you  desire  your 
daughter  to  be  restored  to  her  for- 
mer state,  take  her  to  Bethlehem, 
and  inquire  for  Mary  the  mother 
of  Jesus,  and  doubt  not  but  your 
daughter  will  be  cured ;  for  I  do 
not  question  but  you  will  come 
home  with  great  joy  at  your 
daughter's  recovery. 

11  As  soon  as  ever  she  had 
done  speaking,  she  arose  and  went 
with  her  daughter  to  the  place  ap- 
pointed, and  to  Mary,  and  told 
her  the  case  of  her  daughter. 

12  When  St.  Mary  had  heard 
her  story,  she  gave  her  a  little  of 
the  water  with  which  she  had 
washed  the  body  of  her  son  Jesus, 
and  bade  her  pour  it  upon  the 
body  of  her  daughter. 

13  Likewise  she  gave  her  one 
of  the  swaddling  cloths  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  said,  Take  this 
swaddling  cloth  and  shew  it  to 
thine  enemy  as  often  as  thou 
seest  him  ;  and  she  sent  them 
away  in  peace. 

14  1  After  they  had  left  that 
city  and  returned  home,  and  the 
time  was  come  in  which  Satan  was 
wont  to  seize  her,  in  the  same 
moment  this  cursed  spirit  appear- 

51 


Sitan  sucked,  cured.         I.  INFANCY.  Jesus  struck  by  Judas. 


ed  to  her  in  the  shape  of  a  huge 
dragon,  and  the  girl  seeing  him 
was  afraid. 

15  The  mother  said  to  her,  Be 
not  afraid  daughter;  let  him  alone 
till  he  come  nearer  to  thee !  then 
shew  him  the  swaddling  cloth, 
which  the  Lady  Mary  gave  us, 
and  we  shall  see  the  event. 

16  Satan  then  coming  like  a 
dreadful  dragon,  the  body  of  the 
girl  trembled  for  fear. 

17  But  as  soon  as  she  had  put 
the  swaddling  cloth  upon  her 
head,  and  about  her  eyes,  and 
shewed  it  to  him,  presently  there 
issued  forth  from  the  swaddling 
cloth  flames  and  burning  coals, 
and  fell  upon  the  dragon. 

18  Oh  !  how  great  a  miracle 
was  this,  which  was  done  :  as 
soon  as  the  dragon  saw  the  swad- 
dling cloth  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  fire 
went  forth  and  was  scattered  upon 
his  head  and  eyes  ;  so  that  he 
cried  out  with  a  loud  voice,  What 
have  I  to  do  with  thee,  Jesus, 
thou  son  of  Mary,  Whither  shall 
I  flee  from  thee  ? 

19  So  he  drew  back  much  af- 
frighted, and  left  the  girl. 

20  And  she  was  delivered  from 
this  trouble,  and  sang  praises  and 
thanks  to  God,  and  with  her  all 
who  were  present  at  the  working 
of  the  miracle. 

CHAP.  XIV. 


1  Judas  when  a  boy  possessed  by  Safan, 
and  brought  by  his  parents  to  Jesus  to 
be  cured,  whom  he  tries  to  bile,  7 
but  failing,  strikes  Jesus  and  makes 
him  cry  out.  Whereupon  Satan  goes 
from  Jesus  in  the  shape  of  a  dog. 

ANOTHER   woman  likewise 
lived  there,  whose  son  was 
possessed  by  Satan. 

2  This  boy,  named  Judas,  as 
often  as  Satan  seized  him,  was  in- 
clined to  bite  all  that  were  pre- 
sent ;  and  if  he  found  no  one  else 
52 


near  him,  he  would  bite  his  own 
hands  and  other  parts. 

3  But  the  mother  of  this  miser- 
able boy,  hearing  of  St.  Mary 
and  her  son  Jesus,  arose  presently, 
and  taking  her  son  in  her  arms, 
brought  him  to  the  Lady  Mary. 

4  In  the  meantime,  James  and 
Joses  had  taken  away  the  infant, 
the  Lord  Jesus,  to  play  at  a  pro- 
per season  with  other  children  ; 
and  when  they  went  forth,  they 
sat  down  and  the  Lord  Jesus  with 
them. 

5  Then  Judas,  who  was  pos- 
sessed, came  and  sat  down  at  the 
right  hand  of  Jesus. 

6  When  Satan  was  acting  upon 
him  as  usual,  he  went  about  to 
bite  the  Lord  Jesus. 

7  And  because  he  could  not 
do  it,  he  struck  Jesus  on  the  right 
side,  so  that  he  cried  out. 

8  And  in  the  same  moment 
Satan  went  out  of  the  boy,  and 
ran  away  like  a  mad  dog. 

9  This  same  boy  who  struck 
Jesus,  and  out  of  whom  Satan 
went  in  the  form  of  a  dog,  wa3 
Judas  Iscariot,  who  betrayed  him 
to  the  Jews. 

10  And  that  same  side,  on 
which  Judas  struck  him,  the 
Jews  pierced  with  a  spear. 

CHAP.  XV. 

1  Jesus  and  other  boys  play  together, 
and  make  clay  figures  of  animals.  4 
Jesus  causes  them  to  walk,  6  also 
makes  clay  birds,  which  he  causes  to 
fly,  and  eat  and  drink.  7  The  chil- 
dren's parents  alarmed,  and  take  Jesus 
for  a  sorcerer.  8  He  goes  to  a  dyer's 
shop,  and  throws  all  the  cloths  into  the 
furnaca,  and  works  a  miracle  therewith. 
15  Whereupon  the  Jens  praise  God. 

AND  when  the  Lord  Jesus 
was  seven  years  of  age,  he 
was  on  a  certain  day  with  other 
boys  his  companions  about  the 
same  age. 

2  Who  when  they  were  at  play, 


Animates  clay  figures.     I.  INFANCY.       Christ  miraculously  alters 

thou  hast  come,  and  spoiled  them 
all. 

13  The  Lord  Jesus  replied,  I 
will  change  the  colour  of  every 
cloth  to  what  colour  thou  de- 
sirest ; 

14  And  then  he  presently  be- 
gan to  take  the  cloths  out  of  the 
furnace,  and  they  were  all  dyed 
of  those  same  colours  which  the 
dyer  desired. 

15  And  when  the  Jews  saw 
this  surprising  miracle,  they 
praised  God. 


made  clay  into  several  shapes, 
namely,  asses,  oxen,  birds,  and 
other  figures, 

3  Each  boasting  of  his  work, 
and  endeavouring  to  exceed  the 
rest. 

4  Then  the  Lord  Jesus  said  to 
the  boys,  I  will  command  these 
figures  which  I  have  made  to 
walk. 

5  And  immediately  they  moved, 
and  when  he  commanded  them 
to  return,  they  returned. 

6  He  had  also  made  the  figures 
of  birds  and  sparrows,  which, 
when  he  commanded  to  fly,  did 
fly,  and  when  he  commanded  to 
stand  still,  did  stand  still;  and 
if  he  gave  them  meat  and  drink, 
they  did  eat  and  drink. 

7  When  at  length  the  boys 
went  away,  and  related  these 
things  to  their  parents,  their  fa- 
thers said  to  them,  Take  heed, 
children,  for  the  future,  of  his 
company,  for  he  is  a  sorcerer; 
shun  and  avoid  him,  and  from 
henceforth  never  play  with  him. 

8  ^[  On  a  certain  day  also, 
when  the  Lord  Jesus  was  playing 
with  the  boys,  and  running  about, 
he  passed  by  a  dyer's  shop,  whose 
name  was  Salem. 

9  And  there  were  in  his  shop 
many  pieces  of  cloth  belonging 
to  the  people  of  that  city,  which 
they  designed  to  dye  of  several 
colours. 

10  Then  the  Lord  Jesus  going 
into  the  dyer's  shop,  took  all  the 
cloths,  and  threw  them  into  the 
furnace. 

11  When  Salem  came  home, 
and  saw  the  cloths  spoiled,  he 
began  to  make  a  great  noise,  and 
to  chide  the  Lord  Jesus,  saying, 

12  What  hast  thou  done  to 
me,  O  thou  Son  of  Mary  ?  Thou 
hast  injured  both  me  and  my 
neighbours;  they  all  desired  their 
cloths  of  a  proper  colour ;   but 


CHAP.  XVI. 

1  Christ  miraculously  widens  or  contracts 
the  gates,  milk-pails,  sieves,  or  boxes, 
not  properly  made  by  Joseph,  4  he  not 
being  skilful  at  his  carpenter's  trade. 
5  The  King  of  Jerusalem  gives  Joseph 
an  order  for  a  throne.  6  Joseph  works 
on  it  for  two  years  in  the  king's  palace, 
and  makes  it  two  spans  too  short.  The 
king  being  angry  with  him,  10  Jesas 
comforts  him,  13  commands  him  to  pull 
one  side  of  the  throne,  while  he  pulls 
the  other,  and  brings  it  to  its  proper 
dimensions.  14  Whereupon  the  by- 
standers praise  God. 

AND  Joseph,  wheresoever  he 
went  in  the  city,  took  the 
Lord  Jesus  with  him,  where  he 
was  sent  for  to  work  to  make 
gates,  or  milk-pails,  or  sieves,  or 
boxes ;  the  Lord  Jesus  was  with 
him  wheresoever  he  went. 

2  And  as  often  as  Joseph  had 
anything  in  his  work,  to  make 
longer  or  shorter,  or  wider,  or 
narrower,  the  Lord  Jesus  would 
stretch  his  hand  towards  it. 

3  And  presently  it  became  as 
Joseph  would  have  it. 

4  So  that  he  had  no  need  to 
finish  anything  with  his  own 
hands,  for  he  was  not  very  skil- 
ful at  his  carpenter's  trade. 

5  |On  a  certain  time  the 
King  of  Jerusalem  sent  for  him, 
and  said,  I  would  have  thee  make 
me  a  throne  of  the  same  dimen- 

53 


Joseph's  bad  carpentry.         INFANCY       Christ's  miracles  at  play. 


sions  with  that  place  in  which  I 
commonly  sit. 

6  Joseph  obeyed,  and  forth- 
with began  the  work,  and  con- 
tinued two  years  in  the  king's 
palace  before  he  finished  it. 

7  And  when  he  came  to  fix  it 
in  its  place,  he  found  it  wanted 
two  spans  on  each  side  of  the 
appointed  measure. 

8  Which,  when  the  king  saw, 
he  was  very  angry  with  Joseph  ; 

9  And  Joseph  afraid  of  the 
king's  anger,  went  to  bed  without 
his  supper,  taking  not  any  thing 
to  eat. 

10  Then  the  Lord  Jesus  asked 
him,  What  he  was  afraid  of? 

11  Joseph  replied,  Because  I 
have  lost  my  labour  in  the  work 
which  I  have  been  about  these 
two  years. 

12  Jesus  said  to  him,  Fear  not, 
neither  be  cast  down ; 

13  Do  thou  lay  hold  on  one 
side  of  the  throne,  and  I  will  the 
other,  and  we  will  bring  it  to  its 
just  dimensions. 

14  And  when  Joseph  had  done 
as  the  Lord  Jesus  said,  and  each 
of  them  had  with  strength  drawn 
his  side,  the  throne  obeyed,  and 
was  brought  to  the  proper  dimen- 
sions of  the  place : 

15  Which  miracle  when  they 
who  stood  by  saw,  they  were 
astonished,  aud  praised  God. 

16  The  throne  was  made  of 
the  same  wood,  which  was  in 
being  in  Solomon's  time,  namely, 
wood  adorned  with  various  shapes 
and  figures. 

CHAP.  XVII. 

1  Jesus  plays  with  boys  at  hide  and  seek. 
3  Some  women  put  his  playfellows  in  a 
furnace,  7  where  they  are  transformed 
by  Jesus  into  kids.  10  Jesus  caZ/s 
them  to  go  and  play,  and  they  are 
restored  to  their  former  shape. 

ON    another    day   the    Lord 
Jesus  going  out   into  the 
54 


street,  and  seeing  some  boys  who 
were  met  to  play,  joined  himself 
to  their  company  : 

2  But  when  they  saw  him, 
they  hid  themselves,  and  left 
him  to  seek  for  them  : 

3  The  Lord  Jesus  came  to  the 
gate  of  a  certain  house,  and 
asked  some  women  who  were 
standing  there,  Where  the  boys 
were  gone  ? 

4  And  when  they  answered, 
That  there  was  no  one  there ;  the 
Lord  Jesus  said,  Who  are  those 
whom  ye  see  in  the  furnace  ? 

5  They  answered,  They  were 
kids  of  three  years  old. 

6  Then  Jesus  cried  out  aloud, 
and  said,  Come  out  hither,  O  ye 
kids,  to  your  shepherd  ; 

7  And  presently  the  boys 
came  forth  like  kids,  and  leaped 
about  him  ;  which  when  the  wo- 
men saw,  they  were  exceedingly 
amazed,  and  trembled. 

8  Then  they  immediately  wor- 
shipped the  Lord  Jesus,  and  be- 
seeched  him,  saying,  O  our  Lord 
Jesus,  son  of  Mary,  thou  art 
truly  that  good  shepherd  of  Is- 
rael !  have  mercy  on  thy  hand- 
maids, who  stand  before  thee, 
who  do  not  doubt,  but  that  thou, 
O  Lord,  art  come  to  save,  and 
not  to  destroy. 

9  After  that,  when  the  Lord 
Jesus  said,  the  children  of  Israel 
are  like  Ethiopians  among  the 
people;  the  women  said,  Thou, 
Lord,  knowest  all  things,  nor  is 
any  thing  concealed  from  thee  ; 
but  now  we  entreat  thee,  and  be- 
seech of  thy  mercy  that  thou 
wouldst  restore  those  boys  to 
their  former  state. 

10  Then  Jesus  said,  Come  hi- 
ther O  boys,  that  we  may  go  and 
play;  and  immediately,  in  the 
presence  of  these  women,  the 
kids  were  changed  and  returned 
into  the  shape  of  boys. 


Boy  poisoned 


I.  INFANCY. 


by  a  serpent. 


CHAP.  XVIII. 

1  Jesus  becomes  the  king  of  his  playfel- 
lows, and  they  crown  him  with  flowers, 
4  miraculously  causes  a  serpent  who 
had  bitten  Simon  the  Cananite,  then  a 
boy,  to  suck  out  all  the  poison  again  ; 
16  the  serpent  bursts,  and  Christ  re- 
stores the  boy  to  health- 

IN  the  month  Adar  Jesus  ga- 
thered together  the  boys, 
and  ranked  them  as  though  he 
had  been  a  king. 

2  For  they  spread  their  gar- 
ments on  the  ground  for  him  to 
sit  on  ;  and  having  made  a  crown 
of  flowers,  put  it  upon  his  head, 
and  stood  on  his  right  and  left 
as  the  guards  of  a  king. 

3  And  if  any  one  happened 
to  pass  by,  they  took  him  by 
force,  and  said,  Come  hither, 
and  worship  the  king,  that  you 
may  have  a  prosperous  journey. 

4  |  In  the  mean  time,  while 
these  things  were  doing,  there 
came  certain  men,  carrying  a 
boy  upon  a  couch  ; 

5  For  this  boy  having  gone 
with  his  companions  to  the 
mountain  to  gather  wood,  and 
having  found  there  a  partridge's 
nest,  and  put  his  hand  in  to 
take  out  the  eggs,  was  stung  by 
a  poisonous  serpent,  which  leaped 
out  of  the  nest ;  so  that  he  was 
forced  to  cry  out  for  the  help  of 
his  companions :  who,  when 
they  came,  found  him  lying  upon 
the  earth  like  a  dead  person. 

6  After  which  his  neighbours 
came  and  carried  him  back  into 
the  city. 

7  But  when  they  came  to  the 
place  where  the  Lord  Jesus  was 
sitting  like  a  king,  and  the  other 
boys  stood  around  him  like  his 
ministers,  the  boys  made  haste 
to  meet  him,  who  was  bitten  by 
the  serpent,  and  said  to  his  neigh- 
bours, Come  and  pay  your  re- 
spects to  the  king ; 


8  But  when,  by  reason  of 
their  sorrow,  they  refused  to 
come,  the  boys  drew  them,  and 
forced  them  against  their  wills 
to  come. 

9  And  when  they  came  to 
the  Lord  Jesus,  he  inquired,  On 
what  account  they  carried  that 
boy? 

10  And  when  they  answered, 
that  a  serpent  had  bitten  him, 
the  Lord  Jesus  said  to  the  boys, 
Let  us  go  and  kill  that  serpent. 

11  But  when  the  parents  of 
the  boy  desired  to  be  excused, 
because  their  son  lay  at  the 
point  of  death  ;  the  boys  made 
answer,  and  said,  Did  not  ye 
hear  what  the  king  said  ?  Let  us 
go  and  kill  the  serpent  ;  and 
will  not  ye  obey  him  ? 

12  So  they  brought  the  couch 
back  again,  whether  they  would 
or  not. 

13  And  when  they  were  come 
to  the  nest,  the  Lord  Jesus  said 
to  the  boys,  Is  this  the  serpent's 
lurking  place?  They  said,  It 
was. 

14  Then  the  Lord  Jesus  call- 
ing the  serpent,  it  presently 
came  forth  and  submitted  to 
him  ;  to  whom  he  said,  Go  and 
suck  out  all  the  poison  which 
thou  hast  infused  into  that  boy ; 

15  So  the  serpent  crept  to  the 
boy,  and  took  away  all  its  poison 
again. 

16  Then  the  Lord  Jesus 
cursed  the  serpent  so  that  it  imme- 
diately burst  asunder,  and  died. 

17  And  he  touched  the  boy 
with  his  hand  to  restore  him  to 
his  former  health  ; 

18  And  when  he  began  to  cry, 
the  Lord  Jesus  said,  Cease  cry- 
ing, for  hereafter  thou  shalt  be 
my  disciple ; 

19  And  this  is  that  Simon  the 
Canaanite,  who  is  mentioned  in 
the  Gospel. 

55 


Christ  at  play. 


I.  INFANCY.     Makes  a  dead  boy  speak. 


CHAP.  XIX. 


1  James  being  bitten  by  a  viper,  Jesus 
bloivs  on  the  wound  and  cures  him.  4. 
Jesus  charged  with  throwing  a  boy 
from  the  roof  of  a  house,  10  miracu- 
lously causes  the  dead  boy  to  acquit 
him,  12  fetches  water  for  his  mother, 
breaks  the  pitcher  and  miraculously 
gathers  the  water  in  his  mantle  and 
brings  it  home,  16  makes  fish-pools  on 
the  sabbath,  20  causes  a  boy  to  die 
uho  broke  them  down,  22  another  boy 
run  against  him,  whom  he  also  causes 
to  die. 

ON  another  day  Joseph  sent 
his  son  James  to  gather 
wood  and  the  Lord  Jesus  went 
with  him ; 

2  And  when  they  came  to  the 
place  where  the  wood  was,  and 
James  began  to  gather  it,  be- 
hold, a  venomous  viper  bit  him, 
so  that  he  began  to  cry,  and 
make  a  noise. 

3  The  Lord  Jesus  seeing  him 
in  this  condition,  came  to  him, 
and  blowed  upon  the  place 
where  the  viper  had  bit  him, 
and  it  was  instantly  well. 

4  ^[  On  a  certain  day  the 
Lord  Jesus  was  with  some  boys, 
who  were  playing  on  the  house- 
top, and  one  of  the  boys  fell 
down,  and  presently  died. 

5  Upon  which  the  other  boys 
all  running  away,  the  Lord 
Jesus  was  left  alone  on  the 
house-top. 

6  And  the  boy's  relations 
came  to  him  and  said  to  the 
Lord  Jesus,  Thou  didst  throw 
our  son  down  from  the  house- 
top. 

7  But  he  denying  it,  they  cried 
out,  Our  son  is  dead,  and  this  is 
he  who  killed  him. 

8  The  Lord  Jesus  replied  to 
them,  Do  not  charge  me  with  a 
crime,  of  which  you  are  not  able 
to  convict  me,  but  let  us  go  ask 
the  boy  himself,  who  will  bring 
the  truth  to  light. 

56 


9  Then  the  Lord  Jesus  going 
down  stood  over  the  head  of  the 
dead  boy,  and  said  with  a  loud 
voice,  Zeinunus,  Zeinunus,  who 
threw  thee  down  from  the  house- 
top? 

10  Then  the  dead  boy  answered, 
thou  didst  not  throw  me  down, 
but  such  a  one  did. 

11  And  when  the  Lord  Jesus 
bade  those  who  stood  by  to  take 
notice  of  his  words,  all  who  were 
present  praised  God  on  account 
of  that  miracle. 

12  ^[  On  a  certain  time  the 
Lady  St.  Mary  had  commanded 
the  Lord  Jesus  to  fetch  her  some 
water  out  of  the  well ; 

13  And  when  he  had  gone  to 
fetch  the  water,  the  pitcher,  when 
it  was  brought  up  full,  brake. 

14  But  Jesus  spreading  his 
mantle  gathered  up  the  water 
again,  and  brought  it  in  that  to 
his  mother. 

15  Who,  being  astonished  at 
this  wonderful  thing,  laid  up  this, 
and  all  the  other  things  which  she 
had  seen,  in  her  memory. 

16  f  Again  on  another  day 
the  Lord  Jesus  was  with  some 
boys  by  a  river  and  they  drew 
water  out  of  the  river  by  little 
channels,  and  made  little  fish- 
pools. 

17  But  the  Lord  Jesus  had 
made  twelve  sparrows,  and  placed 
them  about  his  pool  on  each  side, 
three  on  a  side. 

18  But  it  was  the  Sabbath  day, 
and  the  son  of  Hanani  a  Jew  came 
by,  and  saw  them  making  these 
things,  and  said,  Do  ye  thus 
make  figures  of  clay  on  the  Sab- 
bath? And  he  ran  to  them,  and 
broke  down  their  fish-pools. 

19  But  when  the  Lord  Jesus 
clapped  his  hands  over  the  spar- 
rows which  he  had  made,  they 
fled  away  chirping. 

20  At  length  the  son  of  Hanani 


THE   PRESENTATION   IN   THE  TEMPLE.  [PaSe  40. 

FKOM    A  GREEK    PAINTING   IN    DISTEMPER   ON   WOOD. 


Gathers  spilt  water. 


I.  INFANCY. 


Kills  a  playfellow. 


coming  to  the  fish-pool  of  Jesus 
to  destroy  it,  the  water  vanished 
away,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  said  to 
him, 

21  In  like  manner  as  this  water 
has  vanished,  so  shall  thy  life 
vanish ;  and  presently  the  boy 
died. 

22  ^[  Another  time,  when  the 
Lord  Jesus  was  coming  home  in 
the  evening  with  Joseph,  he  met 
a  boy,  who  ran  so  hard  against 
him,  that  he  threw  him  down ; 

23  To  whom  the  Lord  Jesus 
said,  As  thou  hast  thrown  me 
down,  so  shalt  thou  fall,  nor  ever 
rise. 

24  And  that  moment  the  boy 
fell  down  and  died. 

CHAP.  XX. 

4  Sent  to  school  to  Zaccheus  to  learn  his 
letters,  and  teaches  Zaccheus.  13  Sent 
to  another  schoolmaster.  14  re/uses  to 
tell  his  letters,  and  the  schoolmaster 
going  to  whip  him  Ais  hand  withers 
and  he  dies. 

THERE  was  also  at  Jerusalem 
one  named  Zaccheus,  who 
was  a  schoolmaster. 

2  And  he  said  to  Joseph,  Jo- 
seph, why  dost  thou  not  send 
Jesus  to  me,  that  he  may  learn 
his  letters? 

3  Joseph  agreed,  and  told  St. 
Mary; 

4  So  they  brought  him  to  that 
master ;  who,  as  soon  as  he  saw 
him,  wrote  out  an  alphabet  for 
him. 

5  And  he  bade  him  say  Aleph ; 
and  when  he  had  said  Aleph,  the 
master  bade  him  pronounce  Beth. 

6  Then  the  Lord  Jesus  said  to 
him,  Tell  me  first  the  meaning  of 
the  letter  Aleph,  and  then  I  will 
pronounce  Beth. 

7  And  when  the  master  threat- 
ened to  whip  him,  the  Lord  Jesus 
explained  to  him  the  meaning  of 
the  letters  Aleph  and  Beth ; 


8  Also  which  were  the  straight 
figures  of  the  letters,  which  the 
oblique,  and  what  letters  had  dou- 
ble figures ;  which  had  points,  and 
which  had  none  ;  why  one  letter 
went  before  another  ;  and  many 
other  things  he  began  to  tell  him, 
and  explain,  of  which  the  master 
himself  had  never  heard,  nor  read 
in  any  book. 

9  The  Lord  Jesus  farther  said 
to  the  master,  Take  notice  how  I 
say  to  thee ;  then  he  began  clearly 
and  distinctly  to  say  Aleph,  Beth, 
Gimel,  Daleth,  and.  so  on  to  the 
end  of  the  alphabet. 

10  At  this  the  master  was  so 
surprised,  that  he  said,  I  believe 
this  boy  was  born  before  Noah  ; 

11  And  turning  to  Joseph,  he 
said,  Thou  hast  brought  a  boy  to 
me  to  be  taught,  who  is  more 
learned  than  any  master. 

12  He  said  also  unto  St.  Mary, 
This  your  son  has  no  need  of  any 
learning. 

13  ^[  They  brought  him  then 
to  a  more  learned  master,  who, 
when  he  saw  him,  said,  say  Aleph. 

14  And  when  he  had  said  Aleph, 
the  master  bade  him  pronounce 
Beth ;  to  which  the  Lord  Jesus 
replied,  Tell  me  first  the  meaning 
of  the  letter  Aleph,  and  then  I 
will  pronounce  Beth. 

15  But  this  master,  when  he 
lift  up  his  hand  to  whip  him,  had 
his  hand  presently  withered,  and 
he  died. 

16  Then  said  Joseph  to  St. 
Mary,  henceforth  we  will  not 
allow  him  to  go  out  of  the  house ; 
for  every  one  who  displeases  him 
is  killed. 

CHAP.  XXI. 

1  Disputes  miraculously  ivith  the  doctors 
in  the  temple,  7  on  law,  9  on  astronomy, 
12  on  physics  and  metaphysics,  21  is 
worshipped  by  a  philosopher,  28  and 
fetched  home  by  his  mother. 

57 


Kills  his  schoolmasters.     I.  INFANCY.    Disputes  with  the  doctor. 


AND  when  he  was  twelve  years 
old,  they  brought  him  to 
Jerusalem  to  the  feast ;  and  when 
the  feast  was  over,  they  returned. 

2  But  the  Lord  Jesus  con- 
tinued behind  in  the  temple 
among  the  doctors  and  elders, 
and  learned  men  of  Israel ;  to 
whom  he  proposed  several  ques- 
tions of  learning,  and  also  gave 
them  answers : 

3  For  he  said  to  them,  Whose 
son  is  the  Messiah?  They  an- 
swered, the  son  of  David : 

4  Why  then,  said  he,  does  he 
in  the  spirit  call  him  Lord  ?  when 
he  saith,  The  Lord  said  to  my 
Lord,  sit  thou  at  my  right  hand, 
till  I  have  made  thine  enemies  thy 
footstool. 

5  Then  a  certain  principal 
Rabbi  asked  him,  Hast  thou  read 
books? 

6  Jesus  answered,  he  had  read 
both  books,  and  the  things  which 
were  contained  in  books. 

7  And  he  explained  to  them 
the  books  of  the  law,  and  pre- 
cepts, and  statutes:  and  the  mys- 
teries which  are  contained  in  the 
books  of  the  prophets  ;  things 
which  the  mind  of  no  creature 
could  reach. 

8  Then  said  that  Rabbi,  I  never 
yet  have  seen  or  heard  of  such 
knowledge  !  What  do  you  think 
that  boy  will  be ! 

9  ^[  When  a  certain  astrono- 
mer, who  was  present,  asked  the 
Lord  Jesus,  Whether  he  had 
studied  astronomy  ? 

10  The  Lord  Jesus  replied,  and 
told  him  the  number  of  the 
spheres  and  heavenly  bodies,  as 
also  their  triangular,  square,  and 
sextile  aspect;  their  progressive 
and  retrograde  motion ;  their 
size  and  several  prognostications ; 
and  other  things  which  the  reason 
of  man  had  never  discovered. 

11  f  There   was  also  among 

58 


them  a  philosopher  well  skilled 
in  physic  and  natural  philos- 
ophy, who  asked  the  Lord  Jesus, 
Whether  he  had  studied  physic? 

12  He  replied,  and  explained 
to  him  physics  and  metaphysics. 

13  Also  those  things  which 
were  above  and  below  the  power 
of  nature  ; 

14  The  powers  also  of  the 
body,  its  humours,  and  their  ef- 
fects. 

15  Also  the  number  of  its 
members,  and  bones,  veins,  ar- 
teries, and  nerves ; 

16  The  several  constitutions 
of  body,  hot  and  dry,  cold  and 
moist,  and  the  tendencies  of 
them  ; 

17  How  the  soul  operated 
upon  the  body ; 

18  What  its  various  sensa- 
tions and  faculties  were ; 

19  The  faculty  of  sjeaking, 
anger,  desire  ; 

20  And  lastly  the  manner  of 
its  composition  and  dissolution; 
and  other  things,  which  the  un- 
derstanding of  no  creature  had 
ever  reached. 

21  Then  that  philosopher 
arose,  and  worshipped  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  said,  O  Lord  Jesus, 
from  henceforth  I  will  be  thy 
disciple  and  servant. 

22  ^[  While  they  were  dis- 
coursing on  these  and  such  like 
things,  the  Lady  St.  Mary  came 
in,  having  been  three  days  walk- 
ing about  with  Joseph,  seeking 
for  him. 

23  And  when  she  saw  him 
sitting  among  the  doctors,  and 
in  his  turn  proposing  questions 
to  them,  and  giving  answers,  she 
said  to  him,  My  son,  why  hast 
thou  done  thus  by  us  ?  Behold  I 
and  thy  father  have  been  at 
much  pains  in  seeking  thee. 

24  He  replied,  Why  did  ye 
seek  me  ?   Did  ye  not  know  that 


and  confounds  them. 


I.  INFANCY. 


Is  baptized. 


I  ought  to  be  employed  in  my 
father's  house  ? 

25  But  they  understood  not 
the  words  which  he  said  to  them. 

26  Then  the  doctors  asked 
Mary,  Whether  this  was  her 
son  ?  And  when  she  said,  He  was, 
they  said,  O  happy  Mary,  who 
hast  borne  such  a  son. 

27  Then  he  returned  with 
them  to  Nazareth,  and  obeyed 
them  in  all  things. 

28  And  his  mother  kept  all 
these  things  in  her  mind  ; 

29  And  the  Lord  Jesus  grew 
in  stature  and  wisdom,  and  fa- 
vour with  God  and  man. 

CHAP.  XXII. 

1  Conceals   his   miracles,  2  studies  the 
law  and  is  baptized. 

"VTOW  from  this  time  Jesus 
J_\  began  to  conceal  his  mir- 
acles and  secret  works, 

2  And  he  gave  himself  to  the 
study  of  the  law,  till  he  arrived 
to  the  end  of  his  thirtieth  year ; 


3  At  which  time  the  Father 
publicly  owned  him  at  Jordan, 
sending  down  this  voice  from 
heaven,  This  is  my  beloved  son, 
in  whom  I  am  well  pleased ; 

4  The  Holy  Ghost  being  also 
present  in  the  form  of  a  dove. 

5  This  is  he  whom  we  wor- 
ship with  all  reverence,  because 
he  gave  us  our  life  and  being, 
and  brought  us  from  our  mother's 
womb. 

6  Who,  for  our  sakes,  took  a 
human  body,  and  hath  redeemed 
us,  so  that  he  might  so  embrace 

I  us  with  everlasting  mercy,  and 
!  shew  his  free,  large,  bountiful 
grace  and  goodness  to  us. 

7  To  him  be  glory  and  praise, 
i  and  power,  and  dominion,  from 
!  henceforth  and  for  evermore, 
;  Amen. 

j 

|  fl  The  end  of  the  whole  Oospel  of  the 
I  Infancy,  by  the  assistance  of  the  Su- 
!  preme  God,  according  to  what  we 
\     found  in  the  original. 


59 


Christ  enlivens  clay 


II.  INFANCY. 


birds,  kills  a  boy, 


THOMAS'S  GOSPEL  of  the  INFANCY  of  JESUS  CHRIST. 

[The  original  in  Greek,  from  which  this  translation  is  made,  will  be  found 
printed  by  Cotelerius,  in  his  notes  on  the  constitutions  of  the  Apostles, 
from  a  MS.  in  the  French  King's  Library,  No.  2279 — It  is  attributed  to 
Thomas,  and  conjectured  to  have  been  originally  connected  with  the 
Gospel  of  Mary.] 

^[  An  Account  of  the  Actions  I  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  in  his  In- 
and  Miracles  of  our  Lord  and  |  fancy. 


CHAP.  I. 


2  Jesus  miraculously  clears  the  water 
after  rain.  4  plays  with  clay  sparrows, 
which  he  animates  on  the  sabbath  day. 

I  THOMAS,  an  Israelite,  judg- 
ed it  necessary  to  make 
known  to  our  brethren  among 
the  Gentiles,  the  actions  and 
miracles  of  Christ  in  his  child- 
hood, which  our  Lord  and  God 
Jesus  Christ  wrought  after  his 
birth  in  Bethlehem  in  our  coun- 
try, at  which  I  myself  was  as- 
tonished ;  the  beginning  of  which 
was  as  followeth. 

2  ^[  When  the  child  Jesus 
was  five  years  of  age  and  there 
had  been  a  shower  of  rain,  which 
was  now  over,  Jesus  was  play- 
ing with  other  Hebrew  boys  by 
a  running  stream  ;  and  the  wa- 
ter running  over  the  banks,  stood 
in  little  lakes ; 

3  But  the  water  instantly  be- 
came clear  and  useful  again  ; 
he  having  smote  them  only  by 
his  word,  they  readily  obeyed 
him. 

4  Then  he  took  from  the  bank 
of  the   stream  some   soft   clay, 

60 


and  formed  out  of  it  twelve 
sparrows  ;  and  there  were  other 
boys  playing  with  him. 

5  But  a  certain  Jew  seeing 
the  things  which  he  was  doing, 
namely,  his  forming  clay  into 
the  figures  of  sparrows  on  the 
sabbath  day,  went  presently 
away,  and  told  his  father  Jo- 
seph, and  said, 

6  Behold,  thy  boy  is  playing 
by  the  river  side,  and  has  taken 
clay,  and  formed  it  into  twelve 
sparrows,  and  profaneth  the  sab- 
bath. 

7  Then  Joseph  came  to  the 
place  where  he  was,  and  when 
he  saw  him,  called  to  him,  and 
said,  Why  doest  thou  that  which 
it  is  not  lawful  to  do  on  the  sab- 
bath day? 

8  Then  Jesus  clapping  toge- 
ther the  palms  of  his  hands, 
called  to  the  sparrows,  and  said 
to  them :  Go,  fly  away ;  and 
while  ye  live  remember  me. 

9  So  the  sparrows  fled  away, 
making  a  noise. 

10  The  Jews  seeing  this,  were 
astonished,  and  went  away,  and 
told  their  chief  persons  what  a 


and  is  reproved  by  Joseph.  II.  INFANCY. 


Sent  to  school. 


strange   miracle   they  had  seen 
wrought  by  Jesus. 

CHAP.  II. 

2  Causes  a  boy  to  wither  who  broke  down 
his  fish  pools,  6  partly  restores  him,  7 
kills  another  boy,  16  causes  blindness 
to  fall  on  his  accusers,  18  for  which 
Joseph  pulls  him  by  the  ear. 

BESIDES  this,  the  son  of 
Anna  the  scribe  was  stand- 
ing there  with  Joseph,  and  took 
a  bough  of  a  willow  tree,  and 
scattered  the  waters  which  Jesus 
had  gathered  into  lakes. 

2  But  the  boy  Jesus  seeing 
what  he  had  done,  became  an- 
gry, and  said  to  him,  Thou  fool, 
what  harm  did  the  lake  do  thee, 
that  thou  shouldest  scatter  the 
water  ? 

3  Behold,  now  thou  shalt 
wither  as  a  tree,  and  shalt  not 
bring  forth  either  leaves,  or 
branches,  or  fruit. 

4  And  immediately  he  be- 
came withered  all  over. 

5  Then  Jesus  went  away 
home.  But  the  parents  of  the 
boy  who  was  withered,  lament- 
ing the  misfortune  of  his  youth, 
took  and  carried  him  to  Joseph, 
accusing  him,  and  said,  Why 
dost  thou  keep  a  son  who  is 
guilty  of  such  actions  ? 

6  Then  Jesus  at  the  request 
of  all  who  were  present  did  heal 
him,  leaving  only  some  small 
member  to  continue  withered, 
that  they  might  take  warning. 

7  ^[  Another  time  Jesus  went 
forth  into  the  street,  and  a  boy 
running  by,  rushed  upon  his 
shoulder ; 

8  At  which  Jesus  being  an- 
gry, said  to  him,  thou  shalt  go 
no  farther. 

9  And  he  instantly  fell  down 
dead: 

10  Which  when  some  persons 
saw,  they  said,  Where  was  this 
boy  born,  that  everything  which 


he    says    presently   cometh    to 
pass? 

11  Then  the  parents  of  the 
dead  boy  going  to  Joseph  com- 
plained, saying,  You  are  not  fit 
to  live  with  us,  in  our  city, 
having  such  a  boy  as  that : 

12  Either  teach  him  that  he 
bless  and  not  curse,  or  else  de- 
part hence  with  him,  for  he  kills 
our  children. 

13  Tf  Then  Joseph  calling  the 
boy  Jesus  by  himself,  instructed 
him  saying,  Why  doest  thou 
such  things  to  injure  the  people 
so,  that  they  hate  us  and  prose- 
cute us  ? 

14  But  Jesus  replied,  I  know 
that  what  thou  sayest  is  not  of 
thyself,  but  for  thy  sake  I  will 
say  nothing ; 

15  But  they  who  have  said 
these  things  to  thee,  shall  suffer 
everlasting  punishment. 

16  And  immediately  they  who 
had  accused  him  became  blind. 

17  And  all  they  who  saw  it 
were  exceedingly  afraid  and 
confounded,  and  said  concerning 
him,  Whatsoever  he  saith,  whe- 
ther good  or  bad,  immediately 
cometh  to  pass :  and  they  were 
amazed. 

18  And  when  they  saw  this 
action  of  Christ,  Joseph  arose, 
and  plucked  him  by  the  ear,  at 
which  the  boy  was  angry,  and 
said  to  him,  Be  easy ; 

19  For  if  they  seek  for  us, 
they  shall  not  find  us :  thou  hast 
done  very  imprudently. 

20  Dost  thou  not  know  that 
I  am  thine?  Trouble  me  no 
more. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  Astonishes    his    schoolmaster  by  his 
learning. 

A     CERTAIN    schoolmaster 
named  Zacchseus,  standing 
in  a  certain  place,  heard  Jesug 
61 


Adventure  at 


CHRIST  AND  ABGARUS. 


a  dyer's. 


speaking    these    things    to    his 
father. 

2  And  he  was  much  surprised, 
that  being  a  child,  he  should 
speak  such  things ;  and  after  a 
few  days  he  came  to  Joseph, 
and  said, 

3  Thou  hast  a  wise  and  sensi- 
ble child,  send  him  to  me,  that 
he  may  learn  to  read. 

4  When  he  sat  down  to  teach 
the  letters  to  Jesus,  he  began 
with  the  first  letter  Aleph ; 

5  But  Jesus  pronounced  the 
second  letter  Mpeth  (Beth)  Cghi- 
mel  (Gimel),  and  said  over  all 
the  letters  to  him  to  the  end. 

6  Then  opening  a  book,  he 
taught  his  master  the  prophets : 
but  he  was  ashamed,  and  was  at 
a  loss  to  conceive  how  he  came 
to  know  the  letters. 


7  And  he  arose  and  went 
home,  wonderfully  surprised  at 
so  strange  a  thing. 

CHAP.  IV. 

1  Fragment  of  an  adventure  at  a  dyer's. 

AS  Jesus  was  passing  by  a  cer- 
tain shop,  he  saw  a  young 
man  dipping  (or  dyeing)  some 
cloths  and  stockings  in  a  fur- 
nace, of  a  sad  colour,  doing 
them  according  to  every  person's 
particular  order ; 

2  The  boy  Jesus  going  to  the 
young  man  who  was  doing  this, 
took  also  some  of  the  cloths. 
****** 

\  Here  endeth  the  Fragment  of 
Thomas's  Gospel  of  the  Infancy 
of  Jesus  Christ 


THE  EPISTLES  of  JESUS  CHRIST  and  ABGARUS  KING 
of  EDESSA. 

[The  first  writer  who  makes  any  mention  of  the  Epistles  that  passed  between 
Jesus  Christ  and  Abgarus,  is  Eusebius,  Bishop  of  Csesarea,  in  Palestine, 
who  flourished  in  the  early  part  of  the  fourth  century.  For  their  genu- 
ineness, he  appeals  to  the  public  registers  and  records  of  the  City  of 
Edessa  in  Mesopotamia,  -where  Abgarus  reigned,  and  where  he  affirms 
that  he  found  them  written,  in  the  Syriac  language.  He  published  a 
Greek  translation  of  them,  in  his  Ecclesiastical  History.1  The  learned 
world  have  been  much  divided  on  this  subject ;  but,  notwithstanding 
that  the  erudite  Grabe,  with  Archbishop  Cave,  Dr.  Parker,  and  other 
divines,  has  strenuously  contended  for  their  admission  into  the  canon 
of  Scripture,  they  are  deemed  apocryphal.  The  Eev.  Jeremiah  Jones 
observes,  that  the  common  people  in  England  have  this  Epistle  in  their 
houses,  in  many  places,  fixed  in  a  frame,  with  the  picture  of  Christ 
before  it;  and  that  they  generally,  with  much  honesty  and  devotion, 
regard  it  as  the  word  of  God,  and  the  genuine  Epistle  of  Christ.] 


CHAP.  I. 

A  copy  of  a  letter  written  by  King  Ab- 
garus to  Jesus,  and  sent  to  him  by 
Ananias,  his  footman,  to  Jerusalem, 
5  inviting  him  to  Edessa. 

ABGARUS,  king  of  Edessa, 
to  Jesus  the  good  Saviour, 


2  I  have  "been  informed  con- 
cerning you  and  yc&r  cures, 
which  are  performed  without 
the  use  of  medicines  and  herbs. 

3  For  it  is  reported,  that  you 
cause  the  blind  to  see,  the  lame 
to  walk,  do  both  cleanse  lepers, 


who  appears  at  Jerusalem,  greet- 1  and  cast  out  unclean  spirits  and 
ing.  [  devils,  and  restore  them  to  health 

1  L.  i.  c  13, 
62 


Jesus'  letter 


NICODEMUS. 


to  Abgarus. 


who  have  been  long  diseased,  and 
raisest  up  the  dead ; 

4  All  which  when  I  heard,  I 
was  persuaded  of  one  of  these 
two,  viz :  either  that  you  are  God 
himself  descended  from  heaven, 
who  do  these  things,  or  the  son  of 
God. 

5  On  this  account  therefore  I 
have  wrote  to  you,  earnestly  to 
desire  you  would  take  the  trouble 
of  a  journey  hither,  and  cure  a 
disease  which  I  am  under. 

6  For  I  hear  the  Jews  ridicule 
you,  and  intend  you  mischief. 

7  My  city  is  indeed  small,  but 
neat,  and  large  enough  for  us  both. 

CHAP.  II. 

The  answer  of  Jesus  hy  Ananias  the 
footman  to  Abgarus  the  king,  3  de- 
clining to  visit  Edessa. 


ABGARUS,  you  are  happy, 
forasmuch  as  you  have  be- 
lieved on  me,  whom  ye  have  not 
seen. 

2  For  it  is  written  concerning 
me,  that  those  who  have  seen  me 
should  not  believe  on  me,  that 
they  who  have  not  seen  might  be- 
lieve and  live. 

3  As  to  that  part  of  your  letter, 
which  relates  to  my  giving  you  a 
visit,  I  must  inform  you,  that  I 
must  fulfil  all  the  ends  of  my 
mission  in  this  country,  and  after 
that  be  received  up  again  to  him 
who  sent  me. 

4  But  after  my  ascension  I  will 
send  one  of  my  disciples,  who 
will  cure  your  disease,  and  give 
life  to  you,  and  all  that  are  with 
you. 


The  GOSPEL  of  NICODEMUS,  formerly  called  the  ACTS  of 
PONTIUS  PILATE. 

[Although  this  Gospel  is,  by  some  among  the  learned,  supposed  to  have  been 
really  written  by  Nicodemus,  who  became  a  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ,  and 
conversed  with  him;  others  conjecture  that  it  was  a  forgery  towards  the 
close  of  the  third  century  by  some  zealous  believer,  who  observing  that 
there  had  been  appeals  made  by  the  Christians  of  the  former  age,  to  the 
Acts  of  Pilate,  but  that  such  Acts  could  not  be  produced,  imagined  it 
would  be  of  service  to  Christianity  to  fabricate  and  publish  this  Gospel ; 
as  it  would  both  confirm  the  Christians  under  persecution,  and  convince 
the  Heathens  of  the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion.  The  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Jones  says,  that  such  pious  frauds  were  very  common  among  Christians 
even  in  the  first  three  centuries ;  and  that  a  forgery  of  this  nature,  with 
the  view  above  mentioned,  seems  natural  and  probable.  The  same 
author,  in  noticing  that  Eusebius,  in  his  Ecclesiastical  history,  charges 
the  Pagans  with  having  forged  and  published  a  book,  called  "The  Acts 
of  Pilate,"  takes  occasion  to  observe,  that  the  internal  evidence  of  this 
Gospel  shows  it  was  not  the  work  of  any  Heathen  ;  but  that  if  in  the 
latter  end  of  the  third  century  we  find  it  in  use  among  Christians  (as 
it  was  then  certainly  in  some  churches)  and  about  the  same  time  find  a 
forger^of  the  Heathens  under  the  same  title,  it  seems  exceedingly  pro- 
bable that  some  Christians,  at  that  time,  should  publish  such  a  piece  as 
this,  in  order  partly  to  confront  the  spurious  one  of  the  Pagans,  and 
partly  to  support  those  appeals  which  had  been  made  by  former 
Christians  to  the  Acts  of  Pilate  ;  and  Mr.  Jones  says,  he  thinks  so  more 
particularly  as  we  have  innumerable  instances  of  forgeries  by  the  faith- 
ful in  the  primitive  ages,  grounded  on  le*s  plausible  reasons.  Whether 
it  be  canonical  or  not,  it  is  of  very  great  antiquity,  and  is  appealed  to  by 
several  of  the  ancient  Christians.  The  present  translation  is  made 
from  the  Gospel  published  by  Grynasus  in  the  Orthodoxographa,  vol.  i. 
torn.  ii.  p.  643.] 

63 


Christ  accused  by  the 


NICODEMUS. 


Jews  before  Pilate. 


The    Gospel  of  Nicodemus   the  I  mon  him  to  appear  before  your 
disciple,  concerning  the  Sufferings  tribunal,  and  hear  him  yourself. 


and  Resurrection  of   our  Master 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 


CHAP.  I. 

1  Christ  accused  to  Pilate  by  the  Jetvs 
of  healing  on  the  sabbath,  9  sum- 
moned before  Pilate  by  a  messenger 
who  docs  him  honour,  20  worshipped 
by  the  standards  bowing  down  to  him. 

NNAS 


A: 


8  Then  Pilate  called; 


i  messenger 


Summas,  and  Datam,  Ga- 
maliel, Judas,  Levi,  Nepthalim, 
Alexander,  Cyrus,  and  other 
Jews,  went  to  Pilate  about  Jesus, 
accusing  J  him  with  many  bad 
crimes. 

2  And  said,  We  are  assured 
that  Jesus  is  the  son  of  Joseph  the 


and  said  to  him,  By  what  means 
will  Christ  be  brought  hither  ? 

9  Then  went  the  messenger 
forth,  and  knowing  Christ,  wor- 
shipped him  ;  and  having  spread 
the  cloak  which  he  had  in  his 
hand  upon  the  ground,  he  said, 
Caiaphas,  and  j  Lord,  walk  upon  this,  and  go  in, 


for  the  governor  calls  thee. 

10  "When  the  Jews  perceived 
what  the  messenger  had  done 
they  exclaimed  (against  him)  to 
Pilate,  and  said,  Why  did  you  not 
give  him  his  summons  by  a  bea- 
dle, and  not  by  a  messenger  ? — 
For  the  messenger,  when  he  saw 


carpenter/and  born  of  Mary,  and  i  him,  worshipped  him,  and  spread 
that  he  declares  himself  the  Son  j  the  cloak  which  he  had  in  his 
of  God,  and  a  king  ;2  and  not  only  hand  upon  the  ground  before  him, 
so,  but  attempts  the  dissolution  of  j  and  said  to  him,  Lord,  the  go- 
the  sabbath,3  and  the  laws  of  our !  vernor  calls  thee, 
fathers.  11  Then  Pilate  called  the  mes- 


3  Pilate  replied ;  What  is  it 
which  he  declares  ?  and  what  is  it 
which  he  attempts  dissolving  ? 

4  The  Jews  told  him,We  have 
a  law  which  forbids  doing  cures 
on  the  sabbath  day  ;4  but  he 
cures  both  the  lame  and  the  deaf, 
those  afflicted  with  the  palsy,  the 
blind,  and  lepers,  and  demoniacs, 
on  that  day  by  wicked  methods. 

5  Pilate  replied,  How  can  he 
do  this  by  wicked  methods?  They 
answered,  He  is  a  conjurer,  and 


senger,  and  said,  Why  hast  thou 
done  thus  ? 

12  The  messenger  replied, 
When  thou  sentest  me  from  Je- 
rusalem to  Alexander,  I  saw  Je- 
sus sitting  in  a  mean  figure  upon 
a  she-ass,  and  the  children  of  the 
Hebrews  cried  out,  Hosannah, 
holding  boughs  of  trees  in  their 
hands. 

13  Others  spread  their  garments 
in  the  way,  and  said,  Save  us,  thou 
who  art  in  heaven;  blessed  is  he 


casts  out  devils  by  the  prince  of  who  cometh  in  the  name  of  the 
the  devils  f  and  so   all   things  J  Lord.7 

become  subject  to  him.  14  Then  the  Jews  cried  out, 

6  Then  said  Pilate,  Casting  out '  against  the  messenger,  and  said, 

devils  seems  not  to  be  the  work  [  The   children   of   th#  Hebrews 


of  an  unclean  spirit,  but  to  pro- 
ceed from  the  power  of  God. 

7  The  Jews  replied  to  Pilate, 
We  entreat  your  highness  to  sum- 


made  their  acclamations  in  the 
Hebrew  language  ;  and  how 
couldst  thou,  who  art  a  Greek, 
understand  the  Hebrew  ? 


1  Matt.  xiii.  55,  and  John  vi.  42 
3  Matt.  xii.  2.  &c;  Luke  xiii.  14 
vi.  24,  and  xi.  5.  6  Matt,  iv 

9,  &c. 

64 


2  John  v.  17,  18.         Mark  xv.  2. 
John,  v.  18.  4  Exod.  xx.  8,  &c.     5Matt. 

34,  and  xii.  24,  &c.  7  Matt.  xxi.  .8, 


v. 


PNI 


MARY  OFFERING    IN   THE   TEMPLE.  [Pare  40. 

HM    \    GREEK    DIPTYCHON   OF    THE    THIRTEENTH    OR    FOURTEENTH    CENTURY. 


Christ  worshipped  by        NICODEMUS. 


the  standards. 


15  The  messenger  answered 
them  and  said,  I  asked  one  of 
the  Jews  and  said,  What  is  this 
which  the  children  do  cry  out  in 
the  Hebrew  language  ? 

16  And  he  explained  it  to  me, 
saying,  they  cry  out  Hosannah, 
which  being  interpreted,  is,  O, 
Lord,  save  me;  or,  O  Lord, 
save. 

17  Pilate  then  said  to  them, 
Why  do  you  yourselves  testify 
to  the  words  spoken  by  the  chil- 
dren, namely,  by  your  silence  ? 
In  what  has  the  messenger  done 
amiss  ?  And  they  were  silent. 

18  Then  the  governor  said 
unto  the  messenger,  Go  forth 
and  endeavour  by  any  means  to 
bring  him  in. 

19  But  the  messenger  went 
forth,  and  did  as  before ;  and 
said,  Lord,  come  in,  for  the  gov- 
ernor calleth  thee. 

20  And  as  Jesus  was  going  in 
by  the  ensigns,  who  carried  the 
standards,  the  tops  of  them 
bowed  down  and  worshipped 
Jesus. 

21  Whereupon  the  Jews  ex- 
claimed more  vehemently  against 
the  ensigns. 

22  But  Pilate  said  to  the 
Jews,  I  know  it  is  not  pleasing 
to  you  that  the  tops  of  the  stan- 
dards did  of  themselves  bow 
and  worship  Jesus ;  but  why  do 
ye  exclaim  against  the  ensigns, 
as  if  they  had  bowed  and  wor- 
shipped ? 

23  They  replied  to  Pilate, 
We  saw  the  ensigns  themselves 
bowing  and  worshipping  Jesus. 

24  Then  the  governor  called 
the  ensigns  and  said  unto  them, 
Why  did  you  do  thus  ? 

25  The  ensigns  said  to  Pilate, 
We  are  all  Pagans  and  worship 
the  gods  in  temples  ;  and  how 
should  we  think  anything  about 
worshipping    him  ?      We    only 

5 


held  the  standards  in  our  hands 
and  they  bowed  themselves  and 
worshipped  him. 

26  Then  said  Pilate  to  the 
rulers  of  the  synagogue,  Do  ye 
yourselves  choose  some  strong 
men,  and  let  them  hold  the  stan- 
dards, and  we  shall  see  whether 
they   will   then   bend   of  them- 


27  So  the  elders  of  the  Jews 
sought  out  twelve  of  the  most 
strong  and  able  old  men,  and 
made  them  hold  the  standards 
and  they  stood  in  the  presence 
of  the  governor. 

28  Then  Pilate  said  to  the 
messenger,  Take  Jesus  out,  and 
by  some  means  bring  him  in 
again.  And  Jesus  and  the  mes- 
senger went  out  of  the  hall. 

29  And  Pilate  called  the  en- 
signs who  before  had  borne  the 
standards,  and  swore  to  them, 
that  if  they  had  not  borne  the 
standards  in  that  manner  when 
Jesus  before  entered  in,  he  would 
cut  off  their  heads. 

30  Then  the  governor  com- 
manded Jesus  to  come  in  again. 

31  And  the  messenger  did  as 
he  had  done  before,  and  very 
much  entreated  Jesus  that  he 
would  go  upon  his  cloak,  and 
walk  on  it,  and  he  did  walk 
upon  it,  and  went  in. 

32  And  when  Jesus  Avent  in, 
the  standards  bowed  themselves 
as  before,  and  worshipped  him. 

CHAP.  II. 

2  Is  compassionated  by  Pilate's  wife,  7 
charged  with  being  bom  in  fornication. 
12  Testimony  to  the  betrothing  of  his 
parents.     Hatred  of  the  Jews  to  him. 

"VTOW  when  Pilate  saw  this, 
_LM  he  was  afraid,  and  was 
about  to  rise  from  his  seat. 

2  But    while   he   thought   to 
rise,  his  own  wife  who  stood  at  a 
distance,   sent  to    him,   saying, 
65 


Charged  with  being  NICODEMUS.  born  in  fornication. 


Have  thou  nothing  to  do  with 
that  just  man  ;  for  I  have  suf- 
fered much  concerning  him  in  a 
vision  this  night.1 

3  "When  the  Jews  heard  this 
they  said  to  Pilate,  Did  we  not 
say  unto  thee,  He  is  a  conjuror? 
Behold,  he  hath  caused  thy  wife 
to  dream. 

4  Pilate  then  calling  Jesus, 
said,  thou  hast  heard  what  they 
testify  against  thee,  and  makest 
no  answer? 

5  Jesus  replied,  If  they  had 
not  a  power  of  speaking,  they 
could  not  have  spoke  ;  but  be- 
cause every  one  has  the  com- 
mand of  his  own  tongue,  to 
speak  both  good  and  bad,  let 
him  look  to  it. 

6  But  the  elders  of  the  Jews 
answered,  and  said  to  Jesus, 
What  shall  we  look  to  ? 

7  In  the  first  place,  we  know 
this  concerning  thee,  that  thou 
wast  born  through  fornication  ; 
secondly,  that  upon  the  account 
of  thy  birth  the  infants  were 
slain  in  Bethlehem ;  thirdly,  that 
thy  father  and  mother  Mary  fled 
into  Egypt,  because  they  could 
not  trust  their  own  people. 

8  Some  of  the  Jews  who  stood 
by  spake  more  favourably,  We 
cannot  say  that  he  was  born 
through  fornication  ;  but  we 
know  that  his  mother  Mary  was 
betrothed  to  Joseph,  and  so  he 
was  not  born  through  fornication. 

9  Then  said  Pilate  to  the  Jews 
who  affirmed  him  to  be  born 
through  fornication,  This  your 
account  is  not  true,  seeing  there 
was  a  betrothment,  as  they  testify 
who  are  of  your  own  nation. 

10  Annas  and  Caiaphas  spake 
to  Pilate,  All  this  multitude  of 
people  is  to  be  regarded,  who 
cry  out,  that  he  was  born  through 


fornication,  and  is  a  conjuror; 
but  they  who  deny  him  to  be 
born  through  fornication,  are  his 
proselytes  and  disciples. 

1 1  Pilate  answered  Annas  and 
Caiaphas, Who  are  the  proselytes? 
They  answered,  They  are  those 
who  are  the  children  of  Pagans, 
and  are  not  become  Jews,  but 
followers  of  him. 

12  Then  replied  Eleazer,  and 
Asterius,  and  Antonius,  and 
James,  Caras  and  Samuel,  Isaac 
and  Phinees,  Crispus  and  Agrip- 
pa,  Annas  and  Judas,  We  are 
not  proselytes,  but  children  of 
Jews,  and  speak  the  truth,  and 
were  present  when  Mary  was  be- 
trothed. 

13  Then  Pilate  addressing  him- 
self to  the  twelve  men  who  spake 
this,  said  to  them,  I  conjure  you 
by  the  life  of  Csesar,  that  ye  faith- 
fully declare  whether  he  was 
born  through  fornication,  and 
those  things  be  true  which  ye 
have  related. 

14  They  answered  Pilate,  We 
have  a  law,  whereby  we  are  forbid 
to  swear,  it  being  a  sin  :  Let  them 
swear  by  the  life  of  Csesar  that  it 
is  not  as  we  have  said,  and  we 
will  be  contented  to  be  put  to 
death. 

15  Then  said  Annas  and  Caia- 
phas to  Pilate,  Those  twelve  men 
will  not  believe  that  we  know 
him  to  be  basely  born,  and  to  be 
a  conjuror,  although  he  pretends 
that  he  is  the  son  of  God,  and  a 
king : 2  which  we  are  so  far  from 
believing,  that  we  tremble  to  hear. 

16  Then  Pilate  commanded 
every  one  to  go  out  except  the 
twelve  men  who  said  he  was  not 
born  through  fornication,  and 
Jesus  to  withdraw  to  a  distance, 
and  said  to  them,  Why  have  the 
Jews  a  mind  to  kill  Jesus  ? 


Matt,  xxvii.  19. 


GO 


2  John  v,  17,  18  ;  Mark  xv.  2. 


Christ  disputes 


NICODEMUS. 


with  Pilate. 


17  They  answered  him,  They 
are  angry  because  he  wrought 
cures  on  the  sabbath  day.  Pilate 
said,  Will  they  kill  him  for  a 
good  work  ?*  They  say  unto 
him,  Yes,  Sir. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  Is  exonerated  by  Pilate.     11  Disputes 
with  Pilate  concerning  Truth. 

THEN  Pilate,  filled  with  an- 
ger, went  out  of  the  hall, 
and  said  to  the  Jews,  I  call  the 
whole  world  to  witness  that  I 
find  no  fault  in  that  man.2 

2  The  Jews  replied  to  Pilate, 
If  he  had  not  been  a  wicked  per- 
son, we  had  not  brought  him  be- 
fore thee. 

3  Pilate  said  to  them,  Do  ye 
take  him  and  try  him  by  your 
law. 

4  Then  the  Jews  said,  It  is 
not  lawful  for  us  to  put  any  one 
to  death. 

5  Pilate  said  to  the  Jews,  The 
command,  therefore  thou  shalt 
not  kill,3  belongs  to  you,  but  not 
to  me. 

6  And  he  went  again  into  the 
hall,  and  called  Jesus  by  himself, 
and  said  to  him,  Art  thou  the 
king  of  the  Jews  ? 

7  And  Jesus  answering,  said 
to  Pilate,  Dost  thou  speak  this 
of  thyself,  or  did  the  Jews  tell  it 
thee  concerning  me  ? 

8  Pilate  answering,  said  to 
Jesus,  Am  I  a  Jew  ?  The  whole 
nation  and  rulers  of  the  Jews 
have  delivered  thee  up  to  me. 
What  hast  thou  done  ? 

9  Jesus   answering,  said,  My 
kingdom  is  not  of  this  world :  if 
my  kingdom  were  of  this  world 
then  would   my   servants  fight 


and  I  should  not  have  been  de- 
livered to  the  Jews  ;  but  now  my 
kingdom  is  not  from  hence. 

10  Pilate  said,  Art  thou  a 
king  then ?  Jesus  answered,  Thou 
sayest  that  I  am  a  king  :  to  this 
end  was  I  born,  and  for  this  end 
came  I  into  the  world  ;  and  for 
this  purpose  I  came,  that  I  should 
bear  witness  to  the  truth  ;  and 
every  one  who  is  of  the  truth, 
heareth  my  voice. 

11  Pilate  saith  to  him,  What 
is  truth  ? 

12  Jesus  said,  Truth  is  from 
heaven. 

13  Pilate  said,  Therefore  truth 
is  not  on  earth. 

14  Jesus  said  to  Pilate,  Be- 
lieve that  truth  is  on  earth 
among  those,  who  when  they 
have  the  power  of  judgment,  are 
governed  by  truth,  and  form 
right  judgment. 

CHAP.  IV. 

1  Pilate  finds  no  fault  in  Jesus.   16  The 
Jews  demand  his  crucifixion. 

THEN  Pilate  left  Jesus  in  the 
hall,  and  went  out  to  the 
Jews,  and  said,  I  find  not  any 
one  fault  in  Jesus. 

2  The  Jews  say  unto  him,  But 
he  said,  I  can  destroy  the  temple 
of  God,  and  in  three  days  build 
it  up  again. 

3  Pilate  saith  unto  them,What 
sort  of  temple  is  that  of  which  he 

"  eth? 

4  The  Jews  say  unto  him, 
That  which  Solomon  was  forty- 
six  years  in  building,*  he  said  he 
would  destroy,  and  in  three  days 
build  up. 

5  Pilate  said  to  them  again,  I 
am  innocent  from  the  blood  of 
that  man;  do  ye  look  to  it.5 


1  Johnx.  32.     2  John  xviii.  31,  &c.    3  Exod.  xx.  13.    *  John  ii.  19. 
5  Matt,  xxvii.  24. 

67 


Pilate  inclines  to  Christ.  NICODEMIJS.  The  Jews  demand  his  death. 


6  The  Jews  say  to  him,  His 
blood  be  upon  us  and  our  chil- 
dren. Then  Pilate  calling  to- 
gether the  elders  and  scribes, 
priests  and  Levites,  saith  to  them 
privately,  Do  not  act  thus;  I 
have  found  nothing  in  your 
charge  (against  him)  concerning 
his  curing  sick  persons,  and 
breaking  the  sabbath,  worthy  of 
death. 

7  The  Priests  and  Levites  re- 
plied to  Pilate,  By  the  life  of 
Caesar,  if  any  one  be  a  blasphe- 
mer, he  is  worthy  of  death  ;L 
but  this  man  hath  blasphemed 
against  the  Lord. 

8  Then  the  governor  again 
commanded  the  Jews  to  depart 
out  of  the  hall ;  and  calling  Jesus, 
said  to  him,  What  shall  I  do  with 
thee? 

9  Jesus  answered  him,  Do  ac- 
cording as  it  is  written. 

10  Pilate  said  to  him,  How  is 
it  written  ? 

11  Jesus  saith  to  him,  Moses 
and  the  prophets  have  prophesied 
concerning  my  suffering  and  re- 
surrection. 

12  The  Jews  hearing  this, 
were  provoked,  and  said  to  Pi- 
late, Why  wilt  thou  any  longer 
hear  the  blasphemy  of  that  man  ? 

13  Pilate  saith  to  them,  If 
these  words  seem  to  you  blas- 
phemy, do  ye  take  him,  bring 
him  to  your  court,  and  try  him 
according  to  your  law. 

14  The  Jews  reply  to  Pilate, 
Our  law  saith,  he  shall  be  obliged 
to  receive  nine  and  thirty  stripes, 
but  if  after  this  manner  he  shall 
blaspheme  against  the  Lord,  he 
shall  be  stoned. 

15  Pilate  saith  unto  them,  If 
that  speech  of  his  was  blasphemy, 
do  ye  try  him  according  to  your 
law. 


16  The  Jews  say  to  Pilate,  Our 
law  commands  us  not  to  put  any 
one  to  death  :2  we  desire  that  he 
may  be  crucified,  because  he  de- 
serves the  death  of  the  cross. 

17  Pilate  saith  to  them,  It  is 
not  fit  he  should  be  crucified :  let 
him  be  only  whipped  and  sent 
away.3 

18  But  when  the  governor 
looked  upon  the  people  that  were 
present  and  the  Jews,  he  saw 
many  of  the  Jews  in  tears,  and 
said  to  the  chief  priests  of  the 
Jews,  All  the  people  do  not  de- 
sire his  death. 

19  The  elders  cf  the  Jews  an- 
swered to  Pilate,  We  and  all  the 
people  came  hither  for  this  very 
purpose,  that  he  should  die. 

20  Pilate  saith  to  them,  Why 
should  he  die  ? 

21  They  said  to  him,  Because 
he  declares  himself  to  be  the  Son 
of  God,  and  a  King. 

CHAP.  V. 

1  Nicodemus  speaks  in  defence  of  Christ, 
and  relates  his  miracles.  12  Another 
Jew,  26  with  Veronica,  34  Centurio, 
and  others,  testify  of  other  miracles. 

BUT  Nicodemus,  a  certain 
Jew,  stood  before  the  gov- 
ernor, and  said,  I  entreat  thee, 
O  righteous  judge,  that  thou 
wouldst  favour  me  with  the  li- 
berty of  speaking  a  few  words. 

2  Pilate  said  to  him,  Speak  on. 

3  Nicodemus  said,  I  spake  to 
the  elders  of  the  Jews,  and  the 
scribes,  and  priests  and  Levites, 
and  all  the  multitude  of  the 
Jews,  in  their  assembly  ;  What  is 
it  ye  would  do  with  this  man  ? 

4  He  is  a  man  who  hath 
wrought  many  useful  and  glo- 
rious miracles,  such  as  no  man 
on  earth  ever  wrought   before, 


Leviticus  xxiv.  16. 
68 


8  Exodus  xx.  13. 


8  Luke  xxiii.  16. 


Nicodemus  speaks.  NICODEMUS.      A  Jew  cured  by  CJirist 

rose  up,  and  desired  leave  of  the 
governor  to  hear  him  a  few  words. 

13  And  the  governor  said, 
Speak  what  thou  hast  a  mind. 

14  And  he  said,  I  lay  for 
thirty-eight  years  by  the  sheep- 
pool  at  Jerusalem,  labouring 
under  a  great  infirmity,  and 
waiting  for  a  cure  which  should 
be  wrought  by  the  coming  of  an 
angel,  who  at  a  certain  time  trou- 
bled the  water ;  and  whosoever 
first  after  the  troubling  of  the 
water  stepped  in,  was  made  whole 
of  whatsoever  disease  he  had. 

15  And  when  Jesus  saw  me 
languishing  there,  he  said  to  me, 
Wilt  thou  be  made  whole  ?  And 
I  answered,  Sir,  I  have  no  man, 
when  the  water  is  troubled,  to 
put  me  into  the  pool. 

16  And  he  said  unto  me,  Rise, 
take  up  thy  bed  and  walk.  And 
I  was  immediately  made  whole, 
and  took  up  my  bed  and  walked.6 

17  The  Jews  then  said  to  Pi- 
late, Our  Lord  Governor,  pray 
ask  him  what  day  it  was  on  which 
he  was  cured  of  his  infirmity. 

18  The  infirm  person  replied, 
It  was  on  the  sabbath. 

19  The  Jews  said  to  Pilate, 
Did  we  not  say  that  he  wrought 
his  cures  on  the  sabbath,  and  cast 
out  devils  by  the  prince  of  devils? 

20  Then  another  certain7  Jew 
came  forth,  and  said,  I  was  blind, 
could  hear  sounds,  but  could  not 
see  any  one ;  and  as  Jesus  was 
going  along,  I  heard  the  multi- 
tude passing  by,  and  I  asked 
what  was  there  ? 

21  They  told  me  that  Jesus 
was  passing  by :  then  I  cried  out, 
saying,  Jesus,  Son  of  David, 
have   mercy   on   me.    And    he 


nor  will  ever  work.1  Let  him 
go,  and  do  him  no  harm ;  if  he 
cometh  from  God,  his  miracles, 
(his  miraculous  cures)  will  con- 
tinue; but  if  from  men,  they 
will  come  to  nought.2 

5  Thus  Moses,  when  he  was 
sent  by  God  into  Egypt,  wrought 
the  miracles  which  God  com- 
manded him,  before  Pharaoh 
king  of  Egypt ;  and  though  the 
magicians  of  that  country,  Jan- 
nes  and  Jambres,3  wrought  by 
their  magic  the  same  miracles 
which  Moses  did,  yet  they  could 
not  work  all  which  he  did  ;* 

6  And  the  miracles  which  the 
magicians  wrought,  were  not  of 
God,  as  ye  know,  O  Scribes  and 
Pharisees ;  but  they  who  wrought 
them  perished,  and  all  who  be- 
lieved them.5 

7  And  now  let  this  man  go ; 
because  the  very  miracles  for 
which  ye  accuse  him,  are  from 
God;  and  he  is  not  worthy  of 
death. 

8  The  Jews  then  said  to  Nico- 
demus,  Art  thou  become  his 
disciple,  and  making  speeches 
in  his  favour? 

9  Nicodemus  said  to  them,  Is 
the  governor  become  his  disciple 
also,  and  does  he  make  speeches 
for  him  ?  Did  not  Caesar  place 
him  in  that  high  post  ? 

10  When  the  Jews  heard  this 
they  trembled,  and  gnashed  their 
teeth  at  Nicodemus,  and  said  to 
him,  Mayest  thou  receive  his 
doctrine  for  truth,  and  have  thy 
lot  with  Christ! 

11  Nicodemus  replied,  Amen  ; 
I  will  receive  his  doctrine,  and 
my  lot  with  him,  as  ye  have  said. 

'12  Tf  Then  another  certain  Jew 


1  John  iii.  2.  2  Acts  v.  38. 

3  These  are  mentioned  also  as  the  names  of  the  magicians,  2  Tim.  iii.  8. 
*  Exod.  viii.  18,  &c.        6  Acts  v.  35.  An  allusion  to  Gamaliel's  speech. 

e  John  v.  1,  2,  &c.  7  Mark  x.  46. 

69 


with  Veronica  and  others,     NIC0DEMU3.      testify  of  his  miracles. 


stood  still,  and  commanded  that  | 
I  should  be  brought  to  him,  and 
said  to  me,  What  wilt  thou  ? 

22  I  said,  Lord,  that  I  may 
receive  my  sight. 

23  He  said  to  me,  Receive 
thy  sight :  and  presently  I  saw, 
and  followed  him,  rejoicing  and 
giving  thanks. 

24  Another  Jew  also  came 
forth,  and  said,  1I  was  a  leper, 
and  he  cured  me  by  his  word 
only,  saying,  I  will,  be  thou 
clean ;  and  presently  I  was 
cleansed  from  my  leprosy. 

25  And  another  Jew  came 
forth,  and  said,  I  was  crooked, 
and  he  made  me  straight  by  his 
word.3 

26  Tf  And  a  certain  woman 
named  Veronica,  said,  3I  was 
afflicted  with  an  issue  of  blood 
twelve  years,  and  I  touched  the 
hem  of  his  garments,  and  present- 
ly the  issue  of  my  blood  stopped. 

27  The  Jews  then  said,  We 
have  a  law,  that  a  woman  shall 
not  be  allowed  as  an  evidence. 

28  And,  after  other  things, 
another  Jew  said,  *I  saw  Jesus 
invited  to  a  wedding  with  his 
disciples,  and  there  was  a  want 
of  wine  in  Cana  of  Galilee  ; 

29  And  when  the  wine  was 
all  drank,  he  commanded  the 
servants  that  they  should  fill  six 
pots  which  were  there  with 
water,  and  they  filled  them  up 
to  the  brim,  and  he  blessed 
them,  and  turned  the  water  into 
wine,  and  all  the  people  drank, 
being  surprised  at  this  miracle. 

30  And  another  Jew  stood 
forth,  and  said,  5I  saw  Jesus 
teaching    in   the   synagogue   at 


Capernaum;  and  there  was  in 
the  synagogue  a  certain  man 
who  had  a  devil ;  and  he  cried 
out,  saying,  let  me  alone ;  what 
have  we  to  do  with  thee,  Jesus 
of  Nazareth?  Art  thou  come 
to  destroy  us  ?  I  know  that 
thou  art  the  Holy  One  of  God. 

31  And  Jesus  rebuked  him, 
saying,  Hold  thy  peace,  unclean 
spirit,  and  come  out  of  the  man; 
and  presently  he  came  out  of 
him,  and  did  not  at  all  hurt  him. 

32  The  following  things  were 
also  said  by  a  Pharisee ;  I  saw 
that  a  great  company  came  to 
Jesus  from  Galilee  and  Judsea, 
and  the  sea-coast,  and  many 
countries  about  Jordan,  and 
many  infirm  persons  came  to 
him,  and  he  healed  them  all.6 

33  And  I  heard  the  unclean 
spirits  crying  out,  and  saying,7 
Thou  art  the  Son  of  God.     And 

I  Jesus  strictly  charged  them, 
|  that  they  should  not  make  him 
known. 

34  ^[  After  this  another  per- 
son, whose  name  was  Centurio, 
said,8  I  saw  Jesus  in  Capernaum, 
and  I  entreated  him,  saying, 
Lord,  my  servant  lieth  at  home 
sick  of  the  palsy. 

35  And  Jesus  said  to  me,  I 
will  come  and  cure  him. 

36  But  I  said,  Lord,  I  am  not 
worthy  that  thou  shouldst  come 
under  my  roof;  but  only  speak 
the  word,  and  my  servant  shall 
be  healed. 

37  And  Jesus  said  unto  me, 
Go  thy  way ;  and  as  thou  hast 
believed,  so  be  it  done  unto  thee. 
And  my  servant  was  healed 
from  that  same  hour. 


1  Matt.  viii.  11,  &c.  2  Luke  xiii.  11. 

*  Matt.  ix.  20,  &c.  See  concerning  this  woman  called  Veronica,  on  -whom 
this  miracle  was  performed,  and  the  statue  which  she  erected  to  the  honour 
of  Christ,  in  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.  1.  7,  c.  18. 

4  John  ii.  1,  &c.  5  Luke  iv.  33,  &c.  6  Matt.  v.  23. 

7  Mark  iii.  11.  8  Matt.  viii.  5,  &c. 

70 


Christ s  miracles  witnessed.   NICODEMUS.     His  death  demanded. 


'  38  Then  a  certain  nobleman 
said,  I  had  a  son  in  Capernaum, 
who  lay  at  the  point  of  death ; 
and  when  I  heard  that  Jesus  was 
come  into  Galilee,  I  went  and 
besought  him  that  he  would  come 
down  to  my  house,  and  heal  my 
son,  for  he  was  at  the  point  of 
death. 

39  He  said  to  me,  Go  thy  way, 
thy  son  liveth. 

40  And  my  son  was  cured 
from  that  hour. 

41  Besides  these,  also  many 
others  of  the  Jews,  both  men  and 
women,  cried  out  and  said,  He  is 
truly  the  Son  of  God,  who  cures 
all  diseases  only  by  his  word,  and 
to  whom  the  devils  are  altogether 
subject. 

42  Some  of  them  farther  said, 
This  power  can  proceed  from 
none  but  God. 

43  Pilate  said  to  the  Jews, 
Why  are  not  the  devils  subject 
to  your  doctors  ? 

44  Some  of  them  said,  The 
power  of  subjecting  devils  can- 
not proceed  but  from  God. 

45  But  others  said  to  Pilate, 
That  he  had l  raised  Lazarus 
from  the  dead,  after  he  had  been 
four  days  in  his  grave. 

46  The  governor  hearing  this, 
trembling  said  to  the  multitude 
of  the  Jews,  What  will  it  profit 
you  to  shed  innocent  blood  ? 

CHAP.  VI. 

1  Pilate  dismayed  by  the  turbulence  of 
the  Jews,  5  who  demand  Barabbas  to 
be  released,  and  (Jurist  to  be  crucified, 
9  Pilate  warmly  expostulates  with 
them,  20  washes  his  hands  of  Christ's 
blood,  23  and  sentences  him  to  be 
whipped  and  crucified. 

THEN   Pilate   having  called 
together    Nicodemus,    and 
the  fifteen   men  who  said  that 


Jesus  was  not  born  through  for- 
nication, said  to  them,  What 
shall  I  do,  seeing  there  is  like  to 
be  a  tumult  among  the  people.2 

2  They  said  unto  him,  We 
know  not ;  let  them  look  to  it 
who  raise  the  tumult. 

3  Pilate  then  called  the  multi- 
tude again,  and  said  to  them,  Ye 
know  that  ye  have  a  custom,  that 
I  should  release  to  you  one  pri- 
soner at  the  feast  of  the  passover  ; 

4  I  have  a  noted  prisoner,  a 
murderer,  who  is  called  Barab- 
bas, and  Jesus  who  is  called 
Christ,  in  whom  I  find  nothing 
that  deserves  death;  which  of 
them  therefore  have  you  a  mind 
that  I  should  release  to  you  ?3 

5  They  all  cry  out,  and  say, 
Eelease  to  us  Barabbas. 

6  Pilate  saith  to  them,  What 
then  shall  I  do  with  Jesus  who 
is  called  Christ  ? 

7  They  all  answer,  Let  him  be 
crucified. 

8  Again  they  cry  out  and  say 
to  Pilate,  You  are  not  the  friend 
of  Csesar,  if  you  release  this 
man  ?*  for  he  hath  declared  that 
he  is  the  Son  of  God,  and  a  king. 
But  are  you  inclined  that  he 
should  be  king,  and  not  Csesar  ? 

9  Then  Pilate  filled  with  an- 
ger said  to  them,  Your  nation 
hath  always  been  seditious,  and 
you  are  always  against  those  who 
have  been  serviceable  to  you  ? 

10  The  Jews  replied,  Who  are 
those  who  have  been  serviceable 
to  us? 

11  Pilate  answered  them,  Your 
God  who  delivered  you  from  the 
hard  bondage  of  the  Egyptians, 
and  brought  you  over  the  Red 
Sea  as  though  it  had  been  dry 
land,  and  fed  you  in  the  wilder- 
ness with  manna  and  the  flesh  of 


IJohnxi.l7.&c. 


2  Matt,  xxvii.  24. 
4  John  xix.12. 


3  Matt,  xxvii.  21. 
71 


by  the  Jews,  and 


NICODEMUS. 


ordered  by  Pilate. 


quails,  and  brought  water  out  of 
the  rock,  and  gave  you  a  law 
from  heaven : 

12  Ye  provoked  him  all  ways, 
and  desired  for  yourselves  a  mol- 
ten calf,  and  worshipped  it,  and 
sacrificed  to  it,  and  said,  These 
are  Thy  Gods,  O  Israel,  which 
brought  thee  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt ! 

13  On  account  of  which  your 
God  was  inclined  to  destroy  you  ; 
but  Moses  interceded  for  you,  and 
your  God  heard  him,  and  forgave 
your  iniquity. 

14  Afterwards  ye  were  enraged 
against,  and  would  have  killed 
your  prophets,  Moses  and  Aaron, 
when  they  fled  to  the  tabernacle, 
and  ye  were  always  murmuring 
against  God  and  his  prophets. 

15  And  arising  from  his  judg- 
ment seat,  he  would  have  gone 
out ;  but  the  Jews  all  cried  out, 
We  acknowledge  Caesar  to  be 
king,  and  not  Jesus. 

16  Whereas  this  person,  as 
soon  as  he  was  born,  the  wise 
men  came  and  offered  gifts  unto 
him ;  which  when  Herod  heard, 
he  was  exceedingly  troubled,  and 
would  have  killed  him. 

17  When  his  father  knew  this, 
he  fled  with  him  and  his  mother 
Mary  into  Egypt.  Herod,  when 
he  heard  he  was  born,  would  have 
slain  him ;  and  accordingly  sent 
and  slew  all  the  children  which 
were  in  Bethlehem,  and  in  all  the 
coasts  thereof,  from  two  years  old 
and  under.1 

18  When  Pilate  heard  this 
account,  he  was  afraid  ;  and  com- 
manding silence  among  the  peo- 
ple, who  made  a  noise,  he  said  to 
Jesus,  Art  thou  therefore  a  king  ? 

19  All  the  Jews  replied  to  Pi- 
late, he  is  the  very  person  whom 
Herod  sought  to  have  slain. 


20  Then  Pilate  taking  water, 
washed  his  hands  before  the  peo- 
ple and  said,  I  am  innocent  of 
the  blood  of  this  just  person; 
look  ye  to  it? 

21  The  Jews  answered  and 
said,  His  blood  be  upon  us  and 
our  children. 

22  Then  Pilate  commanded 
Jesus  to  be  brought  before  him, 
and  spake  to  him  in  the  follow- 
ing words : 

23  Thy  own  nation  hath 
charged  thee  as  making  thyself 
a  king ;  wherefore  I,  Pilate,  sen- 
tence thee  to  be  whipped  accord- 
ing to  the  laws  of  former  gover- 
nors; and  that  thou  be  first 
bound,  then  hanged  upon  a  cross 
in  that  place  where  thou  art  now 
a  prisoner ;  and  also  two  crimi- 
nals with  thee,  whose  names  are 
Dimas  and  Gestas. 

CHAP.  VII. 

1  Manner  of  Christ's  crucifixion  with 
the  two  thieves. 

THEN  Jesus  went  out  of  the 
hall,  and  the  two  thieves 
with  him. 

2  And  when  they  came  to  the 
place  which  is  called  Golgotha,3 
they  stript  him  of  his  raiment, 
and  girt  him  about  with  a  linen 
cloth,  and  put  a  crown  of  thorns 
upon  his  head,  and  put  a  reed  in 
his  hand. 

3  And  in  like  manner  did  they 
to  the  two  thieves  who  were  cru- 
cified with  him,  Dimas  on  his 
right  hand  and  Gestas  on  his  left. 

4  But  Jesus  said,  My  Father, 
forgive  them ;  For  they  know  not 
what  they  do. 

5  And  they  divided  his  gar- 
ments, and  upon  his  vesture  they 
cast  lots. 

6  The  people  in  the  mean  time 
stood  by,  and  the  chief  priests 


1  Matt.  ii. 

72 


2  Matt,  xxvii.  24,  &c. 


"Matt,  xxvii.  33. 


m6 


MTU- 


z  t 

z       < 


Christ's  crucifixion  NICODEMUS. 


attended  by  miracles, 


and  elders  of  the  Jews  mocked 
him,  saying,  he  saved  others,  let 
him  now  save  himself  if  he  can  ; 
if  he  be  the  son  of  God,  let  him 
now  come  down  from  the  cross. 

7  The  soldiers  also  mocked 
him,  and  taking  vinegar  and  gall 
offered  it  to  him  to  drink,  and 
said  to  him,  If  thou  art  king  of 
the  Jews  deliver  thyself. 

8  Then  Longinus,  a  certain  sol- 
dier, taking  a  spear,1  pierced  his 
side,  and  presently  there  came 
forth  blood  and  water. 

9  And  Pilate  wrote  the  title 
upon  the  cross  in  Hebrew,  Latin, 
and  Greek  letters,  viz.  This  is  the 
king  of  the  Jews.2 

10  But  one  of  the  two  thieves 
who  were  crucified  with  Jesus, 
whose  name  was  Gestas,  said  to 
Jesus,  If  thou  art  the  Christ,deli- 
ver  thyself  and  us. 

11  But  the  thief  who  was  cru- 
cified on  his  right  hand,  whose 
name  was  Dimas,  answering,  re- 
buked him,  and  said,  Dost  not 
thou  fear  God, who  art  condemned 
to  this  punishment  ?  We  indeed 
receive  rightly  and  justly  the 
demerit  of  our  actions ;  but  this 
Jesus,  what  evil  hath  he  done  ? 

12  After  this  groaning,  he  said 
to  Jesus,  Lord,  remember  me 
when  thou  comest  into  thy  king- 
dom. 

13  Jesus  answering,  said  to 
him,  Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  that 
this  day  thou  shalt  be  with  me  in 
Paradise. 

CHAP.  VIII. 

1  Miraculous  appearance  at  his  death. 
10  The  Jews  say  the  eclipse  was  natural. 
12  Joseph  of  Arimathaza  embalms 
Christ's  body  and  buries  it. 

AND  it  was  about  the  sixth 
hour,3  and  darkness  was  upon 
the  face  of  the  whole  earth  until 
the  ninth  hour. 


2  And  while  the  sun  was 
eclipsed,  behold  the  vail  of  the 
temple  was  rent  from  the  top  to 
the  bottom ;  and  the  rocks  also 
were  rent,  and  the  graves  opened, 
and  many  bodies  of  saints,  which 
slept,  arose. 

3  And  about  the  ninth  hour 
Jesus  cried  out  with  a  loud  voice, 
saying,  Hely,  Hely,  lama  zabac- 
thani  t  which  being  interpreted, 
is,  My  God,  My  God,  why  hast 
thou  forsaken  me  ? 

4  And  after  these  things,  Jesus 
said,  Father,  into  thy  hands  I 
commend  my  spirit ;  and  having 
said  this,  he  gave  up  the  ghost. 

5  But  when  the  centurion  saw 
that  Jesus  thus  crying  out  gave 
up  the  ghost,  he  glorified  God, 
and  said,  Of  a  truth  this  was  a  just 
man. 

6  And  all  the  people  who  stood 
by,  were  exceedingly  troubled  at 
the  sight;  and  reflecting  upon 
what  had  passed,  smote  upon  their 
breasts,  and  then  returned  to  the 
city  of  Jerusalem. 

7  The  centurion  went  to  the 
governor,  and  related  to  him  all 
that  had  passed  ; 

8  And  when  he  had  heard  all 
these  things,  he  was  exceeding 
sorrowful ; 

9  And  calling  the  Jews  toge- 
ther, said  to  them,  Have  ye  seen 
the  miracle  of  the  sun's  eclij>se, 
and  the  other  things  which  came 
to  pass,  while  Jesus  was  dying  ? 

10  Which  when  the  Jews  heard, 
they  answered  to  the  governor, 
The  eclipse  of  the  sun  happened 
according  to  its  usual  custom. 

11  But  all  those  who  were  the 
acquaintance  of  Christ,  stood  at  a 
distance,  as  did  the  women  who 
had  followed  Jesus  from  Galilee, 
observing  all  these  things. 


1  John  xix.  34.        2  John  xix.  19.        s  Matt,  xxvii.  45,  &c. 


73 


and  his  body  buried  by     NICODEMUS.         Joseph  of  Arimathoza. 


12  And  1  behold  a  certain  man 
of  Arimathiea,  named  Joseph, 
who  also  was  a  disciple  of  Jesus, 
';  but  not  openly  so,  for  fear  of  the 
Jews,  came  to  the  governor,  and 
entreated  the  governor  that  he 
would  give  him  leave  to  take 
away  the  body  of  Jesus  from  the 


13  And  the  governor  gave  him 


14  And  Nicodemus  came, 
bringing  with  him  a  mixture  of 
myrrh  and  aloes  about  a  hundred 
pound  weight ;  and  they  took 
down  Jesus  from  the  cross  with 
tears,  and  bound  him  with  linen 
cloths  with  spices,  according  to 
the  custom  of  burying  among  the 
Jews, 

15  And  placed  him  in  a  new 
tomb,  which  Joseph  had  built, 
aud  caused  to  be  cut  out  of  a  rock, 
im  which  never  any  man  had 
been  put ;  and  they  rolled  a  great 
stone  to  the  door  of  the  sepulchre. 

CHAP.   IX. 

1  The  Jews  avgry  with  Nlcodemus ;  5 
and  with  Joseph  of  Arimathoza,  7  whom 
they  imprison. 

WHEN  the  unjust  Jews  heard 
that  Joseph  had  begged 
and  buried  the  body  of  Jesus, 
they  sought  after  Nicodernus ; 
and  those  fifteen  men  who  had 
testified  before  the  Governor, 
that  Jesus  was  not  born  through 
fornication,  and  other  good  per- 
sons who  had  shewn  any  good 
actions  towards  him. 

2  But  when  they  all  concealed 
themselves  through  fear  of  the 
Jews  Nicodemus  alone  shewed 
himself  to  them,  and  said,  How 
can  such  persons  as  these  enter 
into  the  synagogue  ? 


3  The  Jews  answered  him, 
But  how  durst  thou  enter  into 
the  synagogue  who  wast  a  con- 
federate with  Christ?  Let  thy 
lot  be  along  with  him  in  the  other 
world. 

4  Nicodemus  answered,  Amen ; 
so  may  it  be,  that  I  may  have  my 
lot  with  him  in  his  kingdom. 

5  In  like  manner  Joseph,  when 
he  came  to  the  JewTs,  said  to  them 
Why  are  ye  angry  with  me  for 
desiring  the  body  of  Jesus  of  Pi- 
late ?  Behold,  I  have  put  him  in 
my  tomb,  and  wrapped  him  up  in 
clean  linen,  and  put  a  stone  at  the 
door  of  the  sepulchre  : 

6  I  have  acted  rightly  towards 
him  ;  but  ye  have  acted  unjustly 
aginst  that  just  person,  in  cruci- 
fying him,  giving  him  vinegar  to 
drink,  crowning  him  with  thorns, 
tearing  his  body  with  whips,  and 
prayed  down  the  guilt  of  his  blood 
upon  you. 

7  The  Jews  at  the  hearing  of 
this  were  disquieted,  and  trou- 
bled ;  and  they  seized  Joseph , 
and  commanded  him  to  be  put  in 
custody  before  the  sabbath,  and 
kept  there  till  the  sabbath  was 
over. 

8  And  they  said  to  him,  Make 
confession  ;  for  at  this  time  it  is 
not  lawful  to  do  thee  any  harm, 
till  the  first  day  of  the  week  come. 
But  we  know  that  thou  wilt  not 
be  thought  worthy  of  a  burial ; 
but  we  will  give  thy  flesh  to  the 
birds  of  the  air,  and  the  beasts  of 
the  earth. 

9  Joseph  answered,  That 
speech  is  like  the  speech  of  proud 
Goliath,  who  reproached  the  liv- 
ing God  in  speaking  against  Da- 
vid. But  ye  scribes  and  doctors- 
know  that  God  saith  by  the  pro- 
phet, Vengeance  is  mine,  and  I 


1  John  xix.  38. 


74 


Joseph  of  A.  imprisoned.   NICODEMUS. 


Christ 


rises  again 


will  repay  to  you l  evil  equal  to 
that  which  ye  have  threatened  to 
rue. 

10  The  God  whom  you  have 
hanged  upon  the  cross,  is  able  to 
deliver  me  out  of  your  hands. 
All  your  wickedness  will  return 
upon  you. 

11  For  the  governor,  when  he 
washed  his  hands,  said,  I  am  clear 
from  the  blood  of  this  just  person. 
But  ye  answered  and  cried  out, 
His  blood  be  upon  us  and  our 
children.  According  as  ye  have 
said,  may  ye  perish  for  ever. 

12  The  elders  of  the  Jews  hear- 
ing these  words,  were  exceedingly 
enraged ;  and  seizing  Joseph, 
they  put  him  into  a  chamber 
where  there  was  no  window  ;  they 
fastened  the  door,  and  put  a  seal 
upon  the  lock ; 

13  And  Annas  and  Caiaphas 
placed  a  guard  upon  it,  and  took 
counsel  with  the  priests  and  Le- 
vites,  that  they  should  all  meet 
after  the  sabbath,  and  they  con- 
trived to  what  death  they  should 
put  Joseph. 

14  When  they  had  done  this, 
the  rulers,  Annas  and  Caiaphas, 
ordered  Joseph  to  be  brought 
forth. 

*|[  In  this  place  there  is  a  portion 
of  the  Gospel  lost  or  omitted, 
which  cannot  be  supplied. 

CHAP.  X. 

1  Joseph's  escape.  2  The  soldiers  relate 
Christ' s  resurrection.  18  Christ  is  seen 
preaching  in  Galilee.  21  The  Jews  re- 
pent of  their  cruelty  to  him. 

WHEN  all  the  assembly 
heard  this,  they  admired 
and  were  astonished,  because  they 
found  the  same  seal  upon  the 
lock  of  the  chamber,  and  could 
not  find  Joseph. 

2  Then  Annas  and  Caiaphas 


went  forth,  and  while  they  were 
all  admiring  at  Joseph's  being 
gone,  behold  one  of  the  soldiers, 
who  kept  the  sepulchre  of  Jesus, 
spake  in  the  assembly. 

3  That  Vhile  they  were  guard- 
ing the  sepulchre  of  Jesus,  there 
was  an  earthquake ;  and  we  saw 
an  angel  of  God  roll  away  the 
stone  of  the  sepulchre  and  3sit 
upon  it ; 

4  And  his  countenance  was 
like  lightning  and  his  garment 
like  snow  ;  and  we  became 
through  fear  like  persons  dead. 

5  And  we  heard  an  angel  say- 
ing to  the  women  at  the  sepul- 
chre of  Jesus,  Do  not  fear;  I 
know  that  you  seek  Jesus  who 
was  crucified ;  he  is  risen  as  he 
foretold. 

6  Come  and  see  the  place 
where  he  was  laid ;  and  go  pre- 
sently, and  tell  his  disciples  that 
he  is  risen  from  the  dead,  and  he 
will  go  before  you  into  Galilee ; 
there  ye  shall  see  him  as  he  told 
you. 

7  Then  the  Jews  called  toge- 
ther all  the  soldiers  who  kept  the 
sepulchre  of  Jesus,  and  said  to 
them,  Who  are  those  women,  to 
whom  the  angel  spoke?  Why  did 
ye  not  seize  them  ? 

8  The  soldiers  answered  and 
said,  We  know  not  whom  the  wo- 
men were ;  besides  we  became  as 
dead  persons  through  fear,  and 
how  could  we  seize  those  women  ? 

9  The  Jews  said  to  them,  As 
the  Lord  liveth  we  do  not  believe 
you. 

10  The  soldiers  answering  said 
to  the  Jews,  when  ye  saw  and 
heard  Jesus  working  so  many 
miracles,  and  did  not  believe  him, 
how  should  ye  believe  us?  Ye 
well  said,  As  the  Lord  liveth,  for 
the  Lord  truly  does  live. 


Deut.  xxxii.  35 ;  Heb.  x.  40.      2  Matt,  xxviii.  11,  12,  &c. 
3  Matt,  xxviii.  1,  2,  &c. 

75 


and  preaches  in  Galilee.     NICODEMUS. 


Tlie  Jews  repent. 


11  We  have  heard  that  ye  shut 
up  Joseph,  who  buried  the  body 
of  Jesus,  in  a  chamber,  under  a 
lock  which  was  sealed ;  and  when 
ye  opened  it,  found  him  not 
there. 

12  Do  ye  then  produce  Joseph 
whom  ye  put  under  guard  in  the 
chamber,  and  we  will  produce 
Jesus  whom  we  guarded  in  the 
sepulchre. 

13  The  Jews  answered  and 
said,  We  will  produce  Joseph, 
do  ye  produce  Jesus.  But  Jo- 
seph is  in  his  own  city  of  Ari- 
mathsea. 

14  The  soldiers  replied,  If  Jo- 
seph be  in  Arimathsea,  and  Jesus 
in  Galilee,  we  heard  the  angel  in- 
form the  women. 

15  The  Jews  hearing  this,  were 
afraid,  and  said  among  them- 
selves, If  by  any  means  these 
things  should  become  public, 
then  every  body  will  believe  in 
Jesus. 

16  Then  they  gathered  a  large 
sum  of  money,  and  gave  it  to  the 
soldiers,  saying,  Do  ye  tell  the 
people  that  the  disciples  of  Jesus 
came  in  the  night  when  ye  were 
asleep  and  stole  away  the  body 
of  Jesus ;  and  if  Pilate  the  gover- 
nor should  hear  of  this,  we  will 
satisfy  him  and  secure  you. 

17  The  soldiers  accordingly 
took  the  money,  and  said  as  they 
were  instructed  by  the  Jews ;  and 
their  report  was  spread  abroad 
among  all  the  people. 

18  i  But  a  certain  priest  Phi- 
nees,  Ada  a  schoolmaster,  and  a 
Levite,  named  Ageus,  they  three 
came  from  Galilee  to  Jerusalem, 
and  told  the  chief  priests  and  all 
who  were  in  the  synagogues,  say- 
ing, 

19  We  have  seen  Jesus,  whom 
ye  crucified,  talking  with  his 
eleven  disciples,  and  sitting  in  the 

1Matt.  xxviii.  16, 

76 


midst  of  them  in  Mount  Olivet, 
and  saying  to  them,1 

20  Go  forth  into  the  whole 
world,  preach  the  Gospel  to  all 
nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  whoso- 
ever shall  believe  and  be  baptiz- 
ed, shall  be  saved. 

21  And  when  he  had  said  these 
things  to  his  disciples,  we  saw 
him  ascending  up  to  heaven. 

22  When  the  chief  priests,  and 
elders,  and  Levites  heard  these 
things,  they  said  to  these  three 
men,  Give  glory  to  the  God  of 
Israel,  and  make  confession  to 
him,  whether  those  things  are 
true,  which  ye  say  ye  have  seen 
and  heard. 

23  They  answering  said,  As 
the  Lord  of  our  lathers  liveth,  the 
God  of  Abraham,  and  the  God  of 
Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob,  ac- 
cording as  we  heard  Jesus  talk- 
ing with  his  disciples,  and  accord- 
ing as  we  saw  him  ascending  up 
to  heaven,  so  we  have  related  the 
truth  to  you. 

24  And  the  three  men  farther 
answered,  and  said,  adding  these 
words,  If  we  should  not  own  the 
words  which  we  heard  Jesus 
speak,  and  that  we  saw  him  as- 
cending into  heaven,  we  should 
be  guilty  of  sin. 

25  Then  the  chief  priests  im- 
mediately rose  up,  and  holding 
the  book  of  the  law  in  their 
hands,  conjured  these  men,  say- 
ing, Ye  shall  no  more  hereafter 
declare  those  things  which  ye 
have  spoke  concerning  Jesus. 

26  And  they  gave  them  a 
large  sum  of  money,  and  sent 
other  persons  along  with  them, 
who  should  conduct  them  to 
their  own  country,  that  they 
might  not  by  any  means  make 
any  stay  at  Jerusalem. 

and  Mark  xvi.  16. 


Joseph  of  Arimathcea        NICODEMUS. 


invited  by  the  Jews 


27  Then  the  Jews  did  assem- 
ble all  together,  and  having  ex- 
pressed the  most  lamentable 
concern,  said,  What  is  this  ex- 
traordinary thing  which  is  come 
to  pass  in  Jerusalem  ? 

28  But  Annas  and  Caiaphas 
comforted  them,  saying,  Why 
should  we  believe  the  soldiers 
who  guarded  the  sepulchre  of 
Jesus,  in  telling  us,  that  an  angel 
rolled  away  the  stone  from  the 
door  of  the  sepulchre  ? 

29  Perhaps  his  own  disciples 
told  them  this,  and  gave  them 
money  that  they  should  say  so, 
and  they  themselves  took  away 
the  body  of  Jesus. 

30  Besides,  consider  this,  that 
there  is  no  credit  to  be  given  to 
foreigners,1  because  they  also 
took  a  large  sum  of  us,  and  they 
have  declared  to  us  according  to 
the  instructions  which  we  gave 
them.  They  must  either  be 
faithful  to  us,  or  to  the  disciples 
of  Jesus. 

CHAP.  XI. 

1  Nicodemus  counsels  the  Jews.  6 
Joseph  found.  11  Invited  by  the 
Jeivs  to  return.  19  Relates  the  man- 
ner of  his  miraculous 


THEN"  Nicodemus  arose,  and 
said,  Ye  say  right,  O  sons 
of  Israel,  ye  have  heard  what 
those  three  men  have  sworn  by 
the  Law  of  God,  who  said,  We 
have  seen  Jesus  speaking  with 
his  disciples  upon  Mount  Olivet, 
and  we  saw  him  ascending  up 
to  heaven. 

2  And  the  scripture  teacheth 
us  that  the  blessed  prophet  Eli- 
jah was  taken  up  to  heaven;  and 
Elisha  being  asked  by  the  sons 
of  the  prophets,  Where  is  our 
father  Elijah  ?  He  said  to  them, 
that  he  is  taken  up  to  heaven. 

3  And  the  sons  of  the  prophets 


said  to  him,  Perhaps  the  spirit 
hath  carried  him  into  one  of  the 
mountains  of  Israel,  there  per- 
haps we  shall  find  him.  And  they 
besought  Elisha,  and  he  walked 
about  with  them  three  days, 
and  they  could  not  find  him. 

4  And  now  hear  me,  O  sons 
of  Israel,  and  let  us  send  men 
into  the  mountains  of  Israel,  lest 
perhaps  the  spirit  hath  carried 
away  Jesus,  and  there  perhaps  we 
shall  find  him,  and  be  satisfied. 

5  And  the  counsel  of  Nicode- 
mus pleased  all  the  people ;  and 
they  sent  forth  men  who  sought 
for  Jesus,  but  could  not  find 
him:  and  they  returning,  said, 
We  went  all  about,  but  could  not 
find  Jesus,  but  we  have  found 
Joseph  in  his  city  of  Arimathea. 

6  The  rulers  hearing  this,  and 
all  the  people,  were  glad,  and 
praised  the  God  of  Israel,  be- 
cause Joseph  was  found,  whom 
they  had  shut  up  in  a  chamber, 
and  could  not  find. 

7  And  when  they  had  formed 
a  large  assembly,  the  chief  priests 
said,  By  what  means  shall  we 
bring  Joseph  to  us  to  speak  with 
him? 

8  And  taking  a  piece  of  pa- 
per, they  wrote  to  him,  and  said, 
Peace  be  with  thee,  and  all  thy 
family.  We  know  that  we  have 
offended  against  God  and  thee. 
Be  pleased  to  give  a  visit  to  us 
your  fathers,  for  we  were  per- 
fectly surprised  at  your  escape 
from  prison. 

9  We  know  that  it  was  mali- 
cious counsel  which  we  took 
against  thee,  and  that  the  Lord 
took  care  of  thee,  and  the  Lord 
himself  delivered  thee  from  our 
designs.  Peace  be  unto  thee,  Jo- 
seph, who  art  honourable  among 
all  the  people. 

10  And  they  chose  seven  of 


Heathens. 


77 


to  relate  the 


NICODEMUS. 


manTier  of  his  escape. 


Joseph's  friends,  and  said  to 
them,  When  ye  come  to  Joseph, 
salute  him  in  peace,  and  give 
him  this  letter. 

11  Accordingly,  when  the  men 
came  to  Joseph,  they  did  salute 
him  in  peace,  and  gave  him  the 
letter. 

12  And  when  Joseph  had  read 
it,  he  said,  Blessed  be  the  Lord 
God,  who  didst  deliver  me  from 
the  Israelites,  that  they  could 
not  shed  my  blood.  Blessed  be 
God,  who  has  protected  me  un- 
der thy  wings. 

13  And  Joseph  kissed  them, 
and  took  them  into  his  house. 
And  on  the  morrow,  Joseph 
mounted  his  ass,  and  went  along 
with  them  to  Jerusalem. 

14  And  when  all  the  Jews 
heard  these  things,  they  went 
out  to  meet  him,  and  cried  out, 
saying,  Peace  attend  thy  coming 
hither,  father  Joseph. 

15  To  which  he  answered, 
Prosperity  from  the  Lord  attend 
all  the  people. 

16  And  they  all  kissed  him; 
and  Nicodemus  took  him  to  his 
house,  having  prepared  a  large 
entertainment. 

17  But  on  the  morrow,  being 
a  preparation-day,  Annas,  and 
Caiaphas,  and  Nicodemus,  said 
to  Joseph,  Make  confession  to 
the  God  of  Israel,  and  answer  to 
us  all  those  questions  which  we 
shall  ask  thee ; 

18  For  we  have  been  very 
much  troubled,  that  thou  didst 
bury  the  body  of  Jesus;  and  that 
when  we  had  locked  thee  in  a 
chamber,  we  could  not  find  thee; 
and  we  have  been  afraid  ever 
since,  till  this  time  of  thy  appear- 
ing among  us.  Tell  us  therefore 
before  God,  all  that  came  to  pass. 

19  Then  Joseph  answering, 
said,  Ye  did  indeed  put  me  un- 

78 


der  confinement,  on  the  day  of 
preparation,  till  the  morning. 

20  But  while  I  was  standing 
at  prayer  in  the  middle  of  the 
night,  the  house  was  surrounded 
with  four  angels ;  and  I  saw 
Jesus  as  the  brightness  of  the 
sun,  and  fell  down  upon  the 
earth  for  fear. 

21  But  Jesus  laying  hold  on 
my  hand,  lifted  me  from  the 
ground,  and  the  dew  was  then 
sprinkled  upon  me ;  but  he, 
wiping  my  face,  kissed  me,  and 
said  unto  me,  Fear  not,  Joseph  ; 
look  upon  me,  for  it  is  I. 

22  Then  I  looked  upon  him, 
and  said,  Rabboni  Elias  !  Ee 
answered  me,  I  am  not  Elias, 
but  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  whose 
body  thou  didst  bury. 

23  I  said  to  him,  Shew  me 
the  tomb  in  which  I  laid  thee. 

24  Then  Jesus,  taking  me  by 
the  hand,  led  me  unto  the  place 
where  I  laid  him,  and  shewed 
me  the  linen  clothes,  and  napkin 
which  I  put  round  his  head. 
Then  I  knew  that  it  was  Jesus, 
and  worshipped  him,  and  said, 
Blessed  be  he  who  cometh  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord. 

25  Jesus  again  taking  me  by 
the  hand,  led  me  to  Arimathsea 
to  my  own  house,  and  said  to  me, 
Peace  be  to  thee ;  but  go  not  out 
of  thy  house  till  the  fortieth  day ; 
but  I  must  go  to  my  disciples. 

CHAP.  XII. 

1  The  Jews  astonished  and  confounded. 
17  Simeon's  (wo  sons,  Char  in  us  and 
Lenthius,  risefrom  the  dead  at  Chrisfs 
crucifixion.  19  Joseph  proposes  to  gel 
them  to  relate  the  mysteries  of  their  re- 
surrection. 21  They  are  sought  and 
found,  22  brought  to  the  synagogue,  23 
privately  sworn  to  secrecy,  25  and  un- 
dertake to  write  what  they  had  seen. 


HEN  the  chief  priests  and 
Levites  heard    all   these 


w 


The  Jews  dismayed.  NICODEMUS.     Charinus  and  Lenthius, 


things,  they  were  astonished,  and  1 
fell  down  with  their  faces  on  the  | 
ground  as  dead  men,  and  crying 
out  to  one  another,  said,  What  is 
this  extraordinary  sign  which  is 
come  to  pass  in  Jerusalem  ?  We 
know  the  father  and  mother  of 
Jesus. 

2  And  a  certain  Levite  said,  I 
know  many  of  his  relations,  reli- 
gious persons,  who  are  wont  to 
offer  sacrifices  and  burnt-offer- 
ings to  the  God  of  Israel,  in  the 
temple,  with  prayers. 

3  And  when  the  high  priest 
Simeon  took  him  up  in  his  arms, 
he  said  to  him,  *Lord,  now  lettest 
thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace, 
according  to  thy  word  ;  for  mine 
eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation, 
which  thou  hast  prepared  before 
the  face  of  all  people :  a  light  to 
enlighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the 
glory  of  thy  people  Israel. 

4  Simeon  in  like  manner  blessed 
Mary  the  mother  of  Jesus,  and 
said  to  her,  I  declare  to  thee  con- 
cerning that  child ;  He  is  appoint- 
ed for  the  fall  and  rising  again  of 
many,  and  for  a  sign  which  shall 
be  spoken  against. 

5  Yea,  a  sword  shall  pierce 
through  thine  own  soul  also,  and 
the  thoughts  of  many  hearts  shall  | 
be  revealed. 

6  Then  said  all  the  Jews,  Let  j 
us  send  to  those  three  men,  who  I 
said  they  saw  him  talking  with 
his  disciples  in  Mount  Olivet. 

7  After  this,  they  asked  them 
what  they  had  seen ;  who  answer- 
ed with  one  accord,  In  the  pre- 
sence of  the  God  of  Israel  we 
affirm,  that  we  plainly  saw  Jesus 
talking  with  his  disciples  in  j 
Mount  Olivet,  and  ascending  up  i 
to  heaven. 

8  Then  Annas  and  Caiaphas  | 
took  them  into  separate  places,  j 


and  examined  them  separately  ; 
who  unanimously  confessed  the 
truth,  and  said,  they  had  seen 
Jesus. 

9  Then  Annas  and  Caiaphas 
said  "  Our  law  saith,  By  the 
mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses 
every  word  shall  be  established."2 

10  But  what  have  we  said? 
The  blessed  Enoch  pleased  God, 
and  was  translated  by  the  word  of 
God ;  and  the  burying-place  of 
the  blessed  Moses  is  known. 

11  But  Jesus  was  delivered  to 
Pilate,  whipped,  crowned  with 
thorns,  spit  upon,  pierced  with  a 
spear,  crucified,  died  upon  the 
cross,  and  was  buried,  and  his  bo- 
dy the  honorable  Joseph  buried 
in  a  new  sepulchre,  and  he  testi- 
fies that  he  saw  him  alive. 

12  And  besides  these  men 
have  declared,  that  they  saw  him 
talking  with  his  disciples  in 
Mount  Olivet,  and  ascending  up 
to  heaven. 

13  ^[  Then  Joseph  rising  up, 
said  to  Annas  and  Caiaphas,  Ye 
may  be  justly  under  a  great  sur- 
prise, that  you  have  been  told, 
that  Jesus  is  alive, -and  gone  up  to 
heaven. 

14  It  is  indeed  a  thing  really 
surprising,  that  he  should  not 
only  himself  arise  from  the  dead, 
but  also  raise  others  from  their 
graves,  who  have  been  seen  by 
many  in  Jerusalem.3 

15  And  now  hear  me  a  little : 
We  all  knew  the  blessed  Simeon, 
the  high-priest,  who  took  Jesus 
when  an  infant  into  his  arms  in 
the  temple. 

16  This  same  Simeon  had  two 
sons  of  his  own,  and  we  were  all 
present  at  their  death  and  fu- 
neral. 

17  Go  therefore  and  see  their 
tombs,  for  these  are  open,  and 


1  Luke,  ii.  29. 


2Deut.  xvii.  6. 


3  Matt,  xxvii.  53. 

79 


who  rose  teith  Christ, 


NICODEMUS.     relate  his  descent  to  hell 


they  are  risen :  and  behold,  they 
are  in  the  city  of  Ariinathcea, 
spending  their  time  together  in 
offices  of  devotion. 

18  Some,  indeed,  have  heard 
the  sound  of  their  voices  in  pray- 
er, but  they  will  not  discourse 
with  any  one,  but  they  continue 
as  mute  as  dead  men. 

19  But  come,  let  us  go  to  them, 
and  behave  ourselves  towards 
them  with  all  due  respect  and 
caution.  And  if  we  can  bring 
them  to  swear,  perhaps  they  will 
tell  us  some  of  the  mysteries  of 
their  resurrection. 

20  When  the  Jews  heard  this, 
they  were  exceedingly  rejoiced. 

21  Then  Annas  and  Caiaphas, 
Nicodemus,  Joseph,  and  Gama- 
liel, went  to  Arimathsea,  but 
did  not  find  them  in  their  graves ; 
but  walking  about  the  city,  they 
found  them  on  their  bended 
knees  at  their  devotions : 

22  Then  saluting  them  with 
all  respect  and  deference  to  God, 
they  brought  them  to  the  syna- 
gogue at  Jerusalem  :  and  having 
shut  the  gates,  they  took  the 
book  of  the  law  of  the  Lord, 

23  And  putting  it  in  their 
hands,  swore  them  by  God 
Adonai,  and  the  God  of  Israel, 
who  spake  to  our  fathers  by  the 
law  and  the  prophets,  saying, 
If  ye  believe  him  who  raised  you 
from  the  dead,  to  be  Jesus,  tell 
us  what  ye  have  seen,  and  how 
ye  were  raised  from  the  dead. 

24  Charinus  and  Lenthius,  the  i 
two  sons  of  Simeon,  trembled ; 
when  they  heard  these  things,  j 
and  were  disturbed,  and  groaned ;  j 
and  at  the  same  time  looking  up 
to  heaven,  they  made  the  sign  \ 
of  the  cross  with  their  fingers  on  | 
their  tongues, 

25  And     immediately    they ' 


spake,  and  said,  Give  each  of  us 
some  paper,  and  we  will  write 
down  for  you  all  those  things 
which  we  have  seen.  And  they 
each  sat  down  and  wrote,  saying, 

CHAP.  XIII. 

1  The  narrative  of  Charinus  and  Len- 
thius commences.  3  A  great  light  in 
hell.  7  Simeon  arrives,  and  announces 
the  coming  of  Christ. 

OLORD  Jesus  and  Father, 
who  art  God,  also  the  resur- 
rection and  life  of  the  dead,  give 
us  leave  to  declare  thy  mysteries, 
which  we  saw  after  death,  belong- 
ing to  thy  cross ;  for  we  are  sworn 
by  thy  name. 

2  For  thou  hast  forbid  thy 
servants  to  declare  the  secret 
things,  which  were  wrought  by 
thy  divine  power  in  hell. 

3  T[  When  we  were  placed 
with  our  fathers  in  the  depth 
of  hell,  in  the  blackness  of  dark- 
ness, on  a  sudden  there  appeared 
the  colour  of  the  sun  like  gold, 
and  a  substantial  purple -colour- 
ed light  enlightening  the  place. 

4  Presently  upon  this,  Adam, 
the  father  of  all  mankind,  with 
all  the  patriarchs  and  prophets, 
rejoiced  and  said,  That  light  is 
the  author  of  everlasting  light, 
who  hath  promised  to  translate 
us  to  everlasting  light. 

5  Then  Isaiah  the  prophet 
cried  out,  and  said,1  This  is  the 
light  of  the  Father,  and  the  Son 
of  God,  according  to  my  prophe- 
cy, when  I  was  alive  upon  earth. 

6  The  land  of  Zabulon,  and 
the  land  of  Nephthalim  beyond 
Jordan,  a  people  who  walked  in 
darkness,  saw  a  great  light ;  and 
to  them  who  dwelled  in  the  re- 
gion of  the  shadow  of  death, 
light  is  arisen.     And  now  he  is 


80 


Isai.  xi.  1 :  Matt  iv.  16. 


ST.  JOHN    THE    BAPTIST.  [Page  119. 

FROM    A  TRIPTYCHON    BY  AN    ITALIAN   PAINTER   OF    THE   THIR- 
TEENTH   OR    FOURTEENTH    CENTURY. 


who  rose  with  Christ,         NICODEMUS.    relates  his  descent  to  hell. 


come,  and  hath  enlightened  us 
who  sat  in  death. 

7  And  while  we  were  all  re- 
joicing in  the  light  which  shone 
upon  us,  our  father  Simeon  came 
among  us,  and  congratulating  all 
the  company,  said,  Glorify  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of 
God. 

8  Whom  I  took  up  in  my 
arms  when  an  infant  in  the  tem- 
ple, and  being  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  said  to  him,  and 
acknowledged,1  That  now  mine 
eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation, 
which  thou  hast  prepared  before 
the  face  of  all  people,  a  light  to 
enlighten  the  Gentiles  and  the 
glory  of  thy  people  Israel. 

9  All  the  saints  who  were  in 
the  depth  of  hell,  hearing  this, 
rejoiced  the  more. 

10  Afterwards  there  came 
forth  one  like  a  little  hermit, 
and  was  asked  by  every  one, 
Who  art  thou  ? 

11  To  which  he  replied,  I  am 
the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the 
Avilderness,  John  the  Baptist,  and 
the  prophet  of  the  Most  High, 
who  went  before  his  coming  to 
prepare  his  way,  to  give  the 
knowledge  of  salvation  to  his 
people  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 

12  And  I  John,  when  I  saw 
Jesus  coming  to  me,  being  moved 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  I  said,  Be- 
hold the  Lamb  of  God,  behold 
him  who  takes  away  the  sins  of 
the  world. 

13  And  I  baptized  him  in  the 
river  Jordan,  and  saw  the  Holy 
Ghost  descending  upon  him  in 
the  form  of  a  dove,  and  heard  a 
voice  from  heaven,  saying,  This 
is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I 
am  well  pleased. 

14  And  now  while  I  was  going 
before  him,  I  came  down  hither 


to  acquaint  you,  that  the  Son  of 
God  Avill  next  visit  us,  and,  as 
the  day-spring  from  on  high, 
will  come  to  us,  who  are  in  dark- 
ness and  the  shadow  of  death. 

CHAP.  XIV. 

1  Adorn  causes  Seth  to  relate  what  he 
heard  from  Michael  the  archangel, 
when  he  sent  him  to  Paradise  to  en- 
treat God  to  anoint  his  head  in  his 
sickness. 

BUT  when  the  first  man  our 
father  Adam  heard  these 
things,  that  Jesus  was  baptized 
in  Jordan,2  he  called  out  to  his 
son,  Seth,  and  said, 

2  Declare  to  your  sons,  the 
patriarchs  and  prophets,  all  those 
things,  which  thou  didst  hear 
from  Michael,  the  archangel, 
when  I  sent  thee  to  the  gates  of 
Paradise,  to  entreat  God  that  he 
would  anoint  my  head  when  I 
was  sick. 

3  Then  Seth,  coming  near  to 
the  patriarchs  and  prophets, 
said,  I  Seth,  when  I  was  pray- 
ing to  God  at  the  gates  of  Para- 
dise, beheld  the  angel  of  the 
Lord,  Michael  appear  unto  me 
saying,  I  am  sent  unto  thee  from 
the  Lord ;  I  am  appointed  to 
preside  over  human  bodies. 

4  I  tell  thee  Seth,  do  not  pray 
to  God  in  tears,  and  entreat  him 
for  the  oil  of  the  tree  of  mercy 
wherewith  to  anoint  thy  father 

',  Adam  for  his  head-ache ; 
i  5  Because  thou  canst  not  by 
|  any  means  obtain  it  till  the  last 
|  day  and  times,  namely,  till  five 
thousand  and  five  hundred  years 
be  past. 

6  Then  will  Christ,  the  most 
merciful  Son  of  God,  come  on 
earth  to  raise  again  the  human 
body  of  Adam,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  raise  the  bodies  of  the 


1  Luke  ii.  29. 


3  Malt.  iii.  13. 


81 


Sedan  and  the  Pr 


NICODEMUS. 


of  hell  quarrel. 


dead,  and  when  he  cometh  he 
will  be  baptized  in  Jordan : 

7  Then  with  the  oil  of  his 
mercy  he  will  anoint  all  those 
who  believe  on  him ;  and  the  oil 
of  his  mercy  will  continue  to 
future  generations,  for  those  who 
shall  be  born  of  the  water  and 
the  Holy  Ghost  unto  eternal  life. 

8  And  when  at  that  time  the 
most  merciful  Son  of  God,  Christ 
Jesus,  shall  come  down  on  earth, 
he  will  introduce  our  father 
Adam  into  Paradise,  to  the  tree 
of  mercy. 

9  When  all  the  patriarchs  and 
prophets  heard  all  these  things 
from  Seth,  they  rejoiced  more. 

CHAP.  XV. 

1  Quarrel  between  Satan  and  the  prince 
oj  hell  concerning  the  expected  arrival 
of  Christ  in  hell. 

WHILE  all  the  saints  were 
rejoicing,  behold  Satan 
the  prince  and  captain  of  death, 
said  to  the  prince  of  hell,1 

2  Prepare  to  receive  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  himself,  who  boasted 
that  he  was  the  Son  of  God,  and 
yet  was  a  man  afraid  of  death, 
and  said,  2  My  soul  is  sorrowful 
even  to  death. 

3  Besides  he  did  many  inju- 
ries to  me  and  to  many  others ; 
for  those  whom  I  made  blind 
and  lame  and  those  also  whom  I 
tormented  with  several  devils, 
he  cured  by  his  word  ;  yea,  and 
those  whom  I  brought  dead  to 
thee,  he  by  force  takes  away 
from  thee. 

4  To  this  the  prince  of  hell 
replied  to  Satan,  Who  is  that  so- 
powerful  prince,  and  yet  a  man 
who  is  afraid  of  death  ? 

5  For  all  the  potentates  of 
the    earth    are    subject  to   my 


power,  whom  thou  broughtest  to 
subjection  by  thy  power. 

6  But  if  he  be  so  powerful  in 
his  human  nature,  I  affirm  to 
thee  for  truth,  that  he  is  almighty 
in  his  divine  nature,  and  no  man 
can  resist  his  power. 

7  When  therefore  he  said  he 
was  afraid  of  death,  he  designed 
to  ensnare  thee,  and  unhappy  it 
will  be  to  thee  for  everlasting 
ages. 

8  Then  Satan  replying,  said 
to  the  prince  of  hell,  Why  didst 
thou  express  a  doubt,  and  wast 
afraid  to  receive  that  Jesus  of 
Nazareth,  both  thy  adversary 
and  mine? 

9  As  for  me,  I  tempted  him 
and  stirred  up  my  old  people 
the  Jews  with  zeal  and  anger 
against  him  ? 

10  I  sharpened  the  spear  for 
his  suffering ;  I  mixed  the  gall 
and  vinegar,  and  commanded 
that  he  should  drink  it ;  I  pre- 
pared the  cross  to  crucify  him, 
and  the  nails  to  pierce  through 
his  hands  and  feet;  and  now  his 
death  is  near  at  hand,  I  will 
bring  him  hither,  subject  both  to 
thee  and  me. 

11  Then  the  prince  of  hell  an- 
swering, said,  Thou  saidst  to  me 
just  now,  that  he  took  away  the 
dead  from  me  by  force. 

12  They  who  have  been  kept 
here  till  they  should  live  again 
upon  earth,  were  taken  away 
hence,  not  by  their  own  power, 
but  by  prayers  made  to  God,  and 
their  almighty  God  took  them 
from  me. 

13  Who  then  is  that  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  that  by  his  word  hath 
taken  away  the  dead  from  me 
without  prayer  to  God? 

14  Perhans  it  is  the  same  who 


1  St.  Jerome  affirms  that  the  soul  of  Christ  went  to  hell. 

2  Matt.  xxvi.  38. 
82 


Christ  arrives  at  hell,         NICODEMUS.        and  Satan  is  expelled. 


took  away  from  me  Lazarus,  after 
he  had  been  four  days  dead,  aud 
did  both  stink  and  was  rotten,  and 
of  whom  I  had  possession  as  a 
dead  person,  yet  he  brought  him 
to  life  again  by  his  power. 

15  Satan  answering,  replied  to 
the  prince  of  hell,  It  is  the  very 
same  person,  Jesus  of  Nazareth. 

1(3  Which  wheu  the  prince  of 
hell  heard,  he  said  to  him,  I  ad- 
jure thee  by  the  powers  which 
belong  to  thee  and  me,  that  thou 
bring  him  not  to  me. 

17  For  when  I  heard  of  the 
power  of  his  word,  I  trembled  for 
fear,  and  all  my  impious  company 
were  at  the  same  time  disturbed  ; 

18  And  we  were  not  able  to 
detain  Lazarus,1  but  he  gave  him- 
self a  shake,  and  with  all  the 
signs  of  malice,  he  immediately 
went  away  from  us ;  and  the 
very  earth,  in  which  the  dead 
body  of  Lazarus  was  lodged, 
presently  turned  him  out  alive. 

19  And  I  know  now  that  he  is 
Almighty  God  who  could  per- 
form such  things,  who  is  mighty 
in  his  dominion,  and  mighty  in 
his  human  nature,  who  is  the 
Saviour  of  mankind. 

20  Bring  not  therefore  this 
person  hither,  for  he  will  set  at 
liberty  all  those  whom  I  hold  in 
prison  under  unbelief,  and  bound 
with  the  fetters  of  their  sins,  and 
will  conduct  them  to  everlasting 
life. 

CHAP.  XVI. 

1  Christ1  s  arrival  at  hell-gates;  the  con- 
fusion thereupon.  10  He  descends 
into  hell. 

AND  while  Satan  and  the 
prince  of  hell  were  dis- 
coursing thus  to  each  other,  on  a 
sudden  there  was  a  voice  as  of 
thunder  and  the  rushing  of  winds, 


saying,  2Lift  up  your  gates,  0  ye 
princes;  and  be  ye  lift  up,  0 
everlasting  gates,  and  the  King 
of  Glory  shall  come  in. 

2  When  the  prince  of  hell 
heard  this,  he  said  to  Satan,  De- 
part from  me,  and  begone  out  of 
my  habitations ;  if  thou  art  a 
powerful  warrior,  fight  with  the 
King  of  Glory.  But  what  hast 
thou  to  do  with  him  ? 

3  And  he  cast  him  forth  from 
his  habitations. 

4  And  the  prince  said  to  his 
impious  officers,  Shut  the  brass 
gates  of  cruelty,  and  make  them 
fast  with  iron  bars,  and  fight 
courageously,  lest  we  be  taken 
captives. 

5  But  when  all  the  company  of 
the  saints  heard  this  they  spake 
with  a  loud  voice  of  anger  to  the 
prince  of  hell : 

6  Open  thy  gates  that  the 
King  of  Glory  may  come  in. 

7  And  the  divine  prophet  Da- 
vid, cried  out  saying,  "Did  not  I 
when  on  earth  truly  prophesy 
and  say,  O  that  men  would  praise 
the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and 
for  his  wonderful  works  to  the 
children  of  men. 

8  For  he  hath  broken  the  gates 
of  brass,  and  cut  the  bars  of  iron 
in  sunder.  He  hath  taken  them 
because  of  their  iniquity,  and 
because  of  their  unrighteousness 
they  are  afflicted. 

9  After  this  another  prophet,* 
namely,  holy  Isaiah,  spake  in  like 
manner  to  all  the  saints,  did  not 
I  rightly  prophesy  to  you  when  I 
was  alive  on  earth  ? 

10  The  dead  men  shall  live, 
and  they  shall  rise  again  who  are. 
in  their  graves,  and  they  shall 
rejoice  who  are  in  earth  ;  for  the 
dew  which  is  from  the  Lord  shall 
bring  deliverance  to  them. 


John  xi.     2  Psalni  xxiv.  7,  &c.     3  Psalm  cvii.  15,  &:. 


'Isaiah  xxvi.  19. 
83 


Hell  greatly  disturbed  on   KECODEMUS.         Christ's  going  thither- 

11  And  I  said  in  another  place, 
O  death,  where  is  thy  victory? 
O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  '? 

12  "When  all  the  saints  heard 
these  things  spoken  by  Isaiah, 
they  said  to  the  prince  of  hell,1 
Open  now  thy  gates,  and  take 
away  thine  iron  bars ;  for  thou 
wilt  now  be  bound,  and  have  no 


power. 

13  Then  there  was  a  great 
voice,  as  of  the  sound  of  thunder 
saying,  Lift  up  your  gates,  O 
princes  ;  and  be  ye  lifted  up,  ye 
gates  of  hell,  and  the  King  of 
Glory  will  enter  in. 

14  The  prince  of  hell  perceiv- 
ing the  same  voice  repeated,  cried 
out  as  though  he  had  been  ignor- 
ant, Who  is  that  King  of  Glory  ? 

15  David  replied  to  the  prince 
of  hell,  and  said,  I  understand 
the  words  of  that  voice,  because 
I  spake  them  by  his  spirit.  And 
now,  as  I  have  above  said,  I  say 
unto  thee,  the  Lord  strong  and 
powerful,  the  Lord  mighty  in 
battle :  he  is  the  King  of  Glory, 
and  he  is  the  Lord  in  heaven  and 
in  earth ; 

16  He  hath  looked  down  to 
hear  the  groans  of  the  prisoners, 
and  to  set  loose  those  that  are 
appointed  to  death.1 

17  And  now,  thou  filthy  and 
stinking  prince  of  hell,  open  thy 
gates,  that  the  King  of  Glory 
may  enter  in  ;  for  he  is  the  Lord 
of  heaven  and  earth. 

18  While  David  was  saying 
this,  the  mighty  Lord  appeared 
in  the  form  of  a  man,  and  en- 
lightened those  places  which  had  I 
ever  before  been  in  darkness, 

19  And  broke  asunder  the  fet-  J 
ters  which  before  could  not  be 
broken  ;  and  with  his  invincible 
power  visited  those  who  sate  in  ' 


I  the  deep  darkness  by  iniquity, 
and  the  shadow  of  death  by  sin.3 

CHAP.  XVII. 

1  Death  and  the  devils  in  great  horror  at 
Christ's  coming.  13  He  tramples  on 
death,  seizes  the  prince  of  hell,  and 
takes  Adam  with  him  to  heaven. 

IMPIOUS  Death  and  her  cruel 
officers  hearing  these  things, 
were  seized  with  fear  in  their  se- 
veral kingdoms,  when  they  saw 
the  clearness  of  the  light, 

2  And  Christ,  himself  on  a 
sudden  appearing  in  their  habi- 
tations; they  cried  out  therefore, 
and  said,  We  are  bound  by  thee ; 
thou  seemest  to  intend  our  con- 
fusion before  the  Lord. 

3  Who  art  thou,  who  hast  no 
sign  of  corruption,  but  that 
bright  appearance  which  is  a  full 
proof  of  thy  greatness,  of  which 
yet  thou  seemest  to  take  no 
notice  ? 

4  Who  art  thou,  so  powerful 
and  so  weak,  so  great  and  so  lit- 
tle, a  mean  and  yet  a  soldier  of 
the  first  rank,  who  can  com- 
mand in  the  form  of  a  servant 
as  a  common  soldier? 

5  The  King  of  Glory,  dead 
and  alive,  though  once  slain 
upon  the  cross  ? 

6  Who  layest  dead  in  the 
grave,  and  art  come  down  alive 
to  us,  and  in  thy  death  all  the 
creatures  trembled,  and  all  the 
stars  were  moved,  and  now  hast 
thou  thy  liberty  among  the  dead, 
and  givest  disturbance  to  our 
legions  ? 

7  Who  art  thou,  who  dost  re- 
lease the  captives  that  were  held 
in  chains  by  original  sin,  and 
bringest  them  into  their  former 
liberty  ? 

8  Who   art  thou,   who   dost 


1  Psalm  xxiv.  7,  &c. 
84 


2  Psalm  cii.  19,  20. 


'Luke  i.  79. 


Christ  gives  Beelzebub       NICODEMUS.         dominion  over  Satan. 


spread  so  glorious  and  divine  a 
light  over  those  who  were  made 
blind  by  the  darkness  of  sin  ? 

9  In  like  manner  all  the  le- 
gions of  devils  were  seized  with 
the  like  horror,  and  with  the 
most  submissive  fear  cried  out, 
and  said, 

10  Whence  comes  it,  O  thou 
Jesus  Christ,  that  thou  art  a 
man  so  powerful  and  glorious  in 
majesty,  so  bright  as  to  have  no 
spot,  and  so  pure  as  to  have  no 
crime  ?  For  that  lower  world 
of  earth,  which  was  ever  till 
now  subject  to  us,  and  from 
whence  we  received  tribute,  nev- 
er sent  us  such  a  dead  man  be- 
fore, never  sent  such  presents  as 
these  to  the  princes  of  hell. 

11  Who  therefore  art  thou, 
who  with  such  courage  enterest 
among  our  abodes,  and  art  not 
only  not  afraid  to  threaten  us 
with  the  greatest  punishments, 
but  also  endeavourest  to  rescue 
all  others  from  the  chains  in 
which  we  hold  them  ? 

12  Perhaps  thou  art  that 
Jesus,  of  whom  Satan  just  now 
spoke  to  our  prince,  that  by  the 
death  of  the  cross  thou  wert 
about  to  receive  the  power  of 
death. 

,13  Then  the  King  of  Glory 
trampliug  upon  death,  seized, 
the  prince  of  hell,  deprived  him 
of  all  his  power,  and  took  our 
earthly  father  Adam  with  him  to 
his  glory. 

CHAP.  XVIII. 

1  Beelzebub,  prince  of  hell,  vehemently 
upbraids  Satan  for  persecuting  Christ 
and  bringing  him  to  hell.  4.  Christ 
gives  Beelzebub  dominion  over  Sitan 
for  ever,  as  a  recompense  for  taking 
away  Adam  and  his  sons. 

THEN  the  prince  of  hell  took 
Satan,  and  with  great  in- 
dignation said  to  him,  O  thou 
prince  of  destruction,  author  of 


Beelzebub's  defeat  and  banish- 
ment, the  scorn  of  God's  angels 
and  loathed  by  all  righteous 
persons !  What  inclined  thee 
to  act  thus  ? 

2  Thou  wouldst  crucify  the 
King  of  Glory,  and  by  his  de- 
struction, hast  made  us  promises 
of  very  large  advantages,  but  as 
a  fool  wert  ignorant  of  what 
thou  wast  about. 

3  For  behold  now  that  Jesus 
of  Nazareth,  with  the  brightness 
of  his  glorious  divinity,  puts  to 
flight  all  the  horrid  powers  of 
darkness  and  death  ; 

4  He  has  broke  down  our  pri- 
sons from  top  to  bottom,  dis- 
missed all  the  captives,  released 
all  who  were  bound,  and  all 
who  were  wont  formerly  to  groan 
under  the  weight  of  their  tor- 
ments have  now  insulted  us,  and 
we  are  like  to  be  defeated  by  their 
prayers. 

5  Our  impious  dominions  are 
subdued,  and  no  part  of  man- 
kind is  now  left  in  our  subjec- 
tion, but  on  the  other  hand,  they 
all  boldly  defy  us ; 

6  Though,  before,  the  dead 
never  durst  behave  themselves 
insolently  towards  us,  nor,  being 
prisoners,  could  ever  on  any  oc- 
casion be  merry. 

7  T[  O  Satan,  thou  prince  of 
all  the  wicked,  father  of  the  im- 
pious and  abandoned,  why 
wouldest  thou  attempt  this  ex- 
ploit, seeing  our  prisoners  were 
hitherto  always  without  the  least 
hopes  of  salvation  and  life  ? 

8  But  now  there  is  not  one  of 
them  does  ever  groan,  nor  is 
there  the  least  appearance  of  a 
tear  in  any  of  their  faces. 

9  O  prince  Satan,  thou  great 
keeper  of  the  infernal  regions, 
all  thy  advantages  which  thou 
didst  acquire  by  the  forbidden 
tree,  and  the  loss  of  Paradise, 

85 


Leaves  hell  and  takes 


NICODEMUS. 


the  saints  with  him. 


thou  hast  now  lost  by  the  wood 
of  the  cross ; 

10  And  thy  happiness  all 
then  expired,  when  thou  didst 
crucify  Jesus  Christ  the  King  of 
Glory. 

11  Thou  hast  acted  against 
thine  own  interest  and  mine,  as 
thou  wilt  presently  perceive  by 
those  large  torments  and  infinite 
punishments  which  thou  art 
about  to  suffer. 

12  O  Satan,  prince  of  all  evil, 
author  of  death,  and  source  of 
all  pride,  thou  shouldest  first 
have  inquired  into  the  evil 
crimes  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth, 
and  then  thou  wouldest  have 
found  that  he  was  guilty  of  no 
fault  worthy  of  death. 

13  Why  didst  thou  venture, 
without  either  reason  or  justice, 
to  crucify  him,  and  hast  brought 
down  to  our  regions  a  person  in- 
nocent and  righteous,  and  there- 
by hast  lost  all  the  sinners,  im- 
pious and  unrighteous  persons  in 
the  whole  world  ? 

14  While  the  prince  of  hell 
was  thus  speaking  to  Satan,  the 
King  of  Glory  said  to  Beelze- 
bub, the  prince  of  hell,  Satan, 
the  prince  shall  be  subject  to  j 
thy  dominion  for  ever,  in  the  j 
room  of  Adam  and  his  right- 
eous sons,  who  are  mine. 

CHAP.  XIX. 

1  Christ  takes  Adam  by  the  hand,  the 
rest  of  the  saints  join  hands,  and  they 
all  ascend  with  him  to  Paradise. 

THEN  Jesus  stretched  forth 
his  hand,  and  said,  Come 
to  me,  all  ye  my  saints,  who 
were  created  in  my  image,  who 
were  condemned  by  the  tree  of  | 
forbidden  fruit,  and  by  the  devil  i 
and  death  ; 


2  Live  now  by  the  wood  of 
my  cross;  the  devil,  the  prince 
of  this  world,  is  overcome,  and 
death  is  conquered. 

3  Then  presently  all  the  saints 
were  joined  together  under  the 
hand  of  the  most  high  God ; 
and  the  Lord  Jesus  laid  hold  on 
Adam's  hand  and  said  to  him, 
Peace  be  to  thee,  and  all  thy 
righteous  posterity,  which  is 
mine. 

4  Then  Adam,  casting  him- 
self at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  ad- 
dressed himself  to  him,  with 
tears,  in  humble  language,  and 
a  loud  voice,  saying,1 

5  I  will  extol  thee,  O  Lord, 
for  thou  hast  lifted  me  up,  and 
hast  not  made  my  foes  to  rejoice 
over  me.  O  Lord  my  God,  I 
cried  unto  thee,  and  thou  hast 
healed  me. 

6  O  Lord  thou  hast  brought 
up  my  soul  from  the  grave; 
thou  hast  kept  me  alive,  that  I 
should  not  go  down  to  the  pit. 

7  Sing  unto  the  Lord,  all  ye 
saints  of  his,  and  give  thanks  at 
the  remembrance  of  his  holiness. 
For  his  anger  endureth  but  for 
a  moment ;  in  his  favour  is  life. 

8  In  like  manner  all  the  saints, 
prostrate  at  the  feet  of  Jesus, 
said  with  one  voice,  Thou  art 
come,  O  Redeemer  of  the  world, 
and  hast  actually  accomplished 
all  things,  which  thou  didst  fore- 
tell by  the  law  and  thy  holy 
prophets. 

9  Thou  hast  redeemed  the  liv- 
ing by  thy  cross,  and  art  come 
down  to  us,  that  by  the  death 
of  the  cross  thou  mightest  de- 
liver us  from  hell,  and  by  thy 
power  from  death. 

10  O,  Lord,  as  thou  hast  put 
the  ensigns  of  thy  glory  in  hea- 
ven, and  hast  set  up  the  sign  of 


Psalm  xxx.  1,  &c. 


86 


Adam  converses 


NICODEMUS. 


with  Enoch,  &i 


thy  redemption,  even  thy  cross 
on  earth  !  so,  Lord,  set  the  sign 
of  the  victory  of  thy  cross  in 
hell,  that  death  may  have  do- 
minion no  longer. 

11  Then  the  Lord  stretching 
forth  his  hand,  made  the  sign  of 
the  cross  upon  Adam,  and  upon 
all  his  saints. 

12  And  taking  hold  of  Adam 
by  his  right  hand,  he  ascended 
from  hell,  and  all  the  saints  of 
God  followed  him. 

13  Then  the  royal  prophet 
David  boldly  cried,  and  said,1 
O  sing  unto  the  Lord  a  new 
song,  for  he  hath  done  marvel- 
lous things  ;  his  right  hand  and 
his  holy  arm  have  gotten  him 
the  victory. 

11  The  Lord  hath  made 
known  his  salvation,  his  right- 
eousness hath  he  openly  shewn 
in  the  sight  of  the  heathen. 

15  And  the  whole  multitude 
of  saints  answered,  saying,2 
This  honour  have  all  his  saints, 
Amen,  Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

16  Afterwards,  the  prophet 
Habakkuk:)  cried  out,  and  said, 
Thou  wentest  forth  for  the  sal- 
vation of  thy  people,  even  for 
the  salvation  of  thy  people. 

17  And  all  the  saints  said,4 
Blessed  is  he  who  cometh  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  ;  for  the  Lord 
hath  enlightened  us.  This  is 
our  God  for  ever  and  ever ;  he 
shall  reign  over  us  to  everlasting 
ages,  Amen. 

18  In  like  manner  all  the 
prophets  spake  the  sacred  things 
of  his  praise,  and  followed  the 
Lord. 

CHAP.  XX. 

1  Christ  delivers  Adam  to  Michael  the 
archangel.  3.  They  meet  Enoch  and 
Elijah   in    heaven,    5    and  also   the 


blessed  thief,  who  relates  how  he  came 
to  Paradise. 

THEN  the  Lord  holding  Adam 
by  the  hand,  delivered  him 
to  Michael  the  archangel;  and 
he  led  them  into  Paradise,  filled 
with  mercy  and  glory  ; 

2  And  two  very  ancient  men 
met  them,  and  were  asked  by  the 
saints,  Who  are  ye,  who  have 
not  yet  been  with  us  in  hell,  and 
have  had  your  bodies  placed  in 
Paradise  ? 

3  One  of  them  answering, 
said,  I  am  Enoch,  who  was  trans- 
lated by  the  word  of  God  :5  and 
this  man  who  is  with  me,  is 
Elijah  the  Tishbite,  Avho  was 
translated  in  a  fiery  chariot.6 

4  Here  we  have  hitherto  been, 
and  have  not  tasted  death,  but 
are  now  about  to  return  at  the 
coming  of  Antichrist,  being 
armed  with  divine  signs  and 
miracles,  to  engage  with  him  in 
battle,  and  to  be  slain  by  him  at 
Jerusalem,  and  to  be  taken  up 
alive  again  into  the  clouds,  after 
three  days  and  a  half.7 

5  Tf  And  while  the  holy 
Enoch  and  Elias  were  relating 
this,  behold  there  came  another 
man  in  a  miserable  figure  carry- 
ing the  sign  of  the  cross  upon 
his  shoulders. 

6  And  when  all  the  saints  saw 
him,  they  said  to  him,  Who  art 
thou?  For  thy  countenance  is 
like  a  thief's;  and  why  dost 
thou  carry  a  cross  upon  thy 
shoulders  ? 

7  To  which  he  answering,  said, 
Ye  say  right,  for  I  was  a  thief, 
who  committed  all  sorts  of  wick- 
edness upon  earth. 

8  And  the  Jews  crucified  me 
with  Jesus  ;  and  I  observed  the 
surprising    things    which    hap- 


Psalm  xcviii.  1,  &c. 
6  Gen.  v.  24. 


2  Psalm  cxlix.  2.     3  Hab.  iii 
6  Kings  ii.  11. 


13.     4  Matt,  xxiii. 
7Eev-  xi.  11. 
87 


thief 's  story, 


NICODEMUS.    how  he  came  to  Paradise. 


pened  in  the  creation  at  the  cru- 
cifixion of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

9  And  I  believed  him  to  be 
the  Creator  of  all  things,  and  the 
Almighty  King ;  and  I  prayed 
to  him,  saying,  Lord,  remember 
me,  when  thou  comest  into  thy 
kingdom. 

10  He  presently  regarded  my 
supplication,  and  said  to  me, 
Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  this  day 
thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  Para- 
dise.1 

11  And  he  gave  me  this  sign 
of  the  cross  saying,  Carry  this, 
and  go  to  Paradise ;  and  if  the 
angel  who  is  the  guard  of  Para- 
dise will  not  admit  thee,  shew 
him  the  sign  of  the  cross,  and 
say  unto  him  :  Jesus  Christ  who 
is  now  crucified,  hath  sent  me 
hither  to  thee. 

12  When  I  did  this,  and  told 
the  angel  who  is  the  guard  of 
Paradise  all  these  things,  and  he 
heard  them,  he  presently  opened 
the  gates,  introduced  me,  and 
placed  me  on  the  right-hand  in 
Paradise, 

13  Saying,  Stay  here  a  little 
time,  till  Adam,  the  father  of  all 
mankind,  shall  enter  in,  with  all 
his  sons,  who  are  the  holy  and 
righteous  servants  of  Jesus 
Christ,  who  was  crucified. 

14  When  they  heard  all  this 
account  from  the  thief,  all  the  j 
patriarchs  said  with  one  voice, 
Blessed  be  thou,  O  Almighty 
God,  the  Father  of  everlasting 
goodness,  and  the  Father  of  mer- 
cies, who  hast  shewn  such  favour 
to  those  who  were  sinners  against 
him,  and  hast  brought  them  to 
the  mercy  of  Paradise,  and  hast 
placed  them  amidst  thy  large 
and  spiritual  provisions,  in  a 
spiritual  and  holy  life.     Amen. 


CHAP.  XXI. 

1  Charinus  and  Lenthius  being  only 
allowed  three  days  to  remain  on  earth, 
7  deliver  in  their  narratives,  which 
miraculously  correspond  ;  they  vanish, 
13  and  Pilate  records   these  transac- 


THESE  are  the  divine  and 
sacred  mysteries  which  we 
saw  and  heard.  I,  Charinus  and 
Lenthius  are  not  allowed  to  de- 
clare the  other  mysteries  of  God, 
as  the  archangel  Michael  ordered 
us, 

2  Saying,  ye  shall  go  with  my 
brethren  to  Jerusalem,  and  shall 
continue  in  prayers,  declaring 
and  glorifying  the  resurrection 
of  Jesus  Christ,  seeing  he  hath 
raised  you  from  the  dead  at  the 
same  time  with  himself. 

3  And  ye  shall  not  talk  with 
any  man,  but  sit  as  dumb  per- 
sons till  the  time  come  when  the 
Lord  will  allow  you  to  relate 
the  mysteries  of  his  divinity. 

4  The  archangel  Michael  far- 
ther commanded  us  to  go  beyond 
Jordan,  to  an  excellent  and  fat 
country,  where  there  are  many 
who  rose  from  the  dead  along 
with  us  for  the  proof  of  the  resur- 
rection of  Christ. 

5  For  we  have  only  three  days 
allowed  us  from  the  dead,  who 
arose  to  celebrate  the  passover 
of  our  Lord  with  our  parents,  and 
to  bear  our  testimony  for  Christ 
the  Lord,  and  we  have  been 
baptized  in  the  holy  river  of 
Jordan.  And  now  they  are  not 
seen  by  any  one. 

6  This  is  as  much  as  God  al- 
lowed us  to  relate  to  you ;  give  ye 
therefore  praise  and  honour  to 
him,  and  repent,  and  he  will  have 
mercy  upon  you.  Peace  be  to 
you  from  the  Lord  God   Jesus 


1  Luke  xxiii.  43. 


THE   BAPTISM    OF  CHRIST    IN  THE    JORDAN.  [Page  59. 

FROM  A  "COOK  OF  THE  EVANGELISTS."  GREEK  MANUSCRIPT  OF  THE  TWELFTH  CENTURY. 


Charinus  and  Lenthius    NICODEMUS. 


conclude  their  visit. 


Christ,  and  the  Saviour  of  us  all. 
Amen,  Amen,  Amen. 

7  And  after  they  had  made  an 
end  of  writing  and  had  wrote  in 
two  distinct  pieces  of  paper,  Cha- 
rinus gave  what  he  wrote  into  the 
hands  of  Annas,  and  Caiaphas, 
and  Gamaliel. 

8  Lenthius  likewise  gave  what 
he  wrote  into  the  hands  of  Mco- 
demus  and  Joseph  ;  and  immedi- 
ately they  were  changed  into 
exceeding  white  forms  and  were 
seen  no  more. 

9  But  what  they  had  wrote  was 
found  perfectly  to  agree,  the  one 
not  containing  one  letter  more  or 
less  than  the  other. 

10  When  all  the  assembly  of 
the  Jews  heard  all  these  surpris- 
ing relations  of  Charinus  and 
Lenthius,  they  said  to  each 
other,  Truly  all  these  things  were 
wrought  by  God,  and  blessed  be 
the  Lord  Jesus  for  ever  and 
ever,  Amen. 

11  And  they  went  about  with 
great  concern,  and  fear,  and  trem- 
bling, and  smote  upon  their 
breasts  and  went  away  every  one 
to  his  home. 

12  But  immediately  all  these 
things  which  were  related  by  the 
Jews  in  their  synagogues  con- 
cerning Jesus,  were  presently 
told  by  Joseph  and  Nicodemus 
to  the  governor. 

13  And  Pilate  wrote  down  all 
these  transactions,  and  placed  all 
these  accounts  in  the  public  re- 
cords of  his  hall. 


CHAP.  XXII. 

1  Pilate  goes  to  the  temple  ;  calls  together 
the  rulers,  and  scribes,  and  doctors.  2 
Commands  the  gates  to  be  shut ;  orders 
the  book  of  the  Scripture  ;  and  causes 
the  Jews  to  relate  what  they  really 
knew  concerning  Christ.  14  They 
declare  that  they  crucified  Christ  in 
ignorance,  and  that   they  now  know 


him  to  be  the  Son  of  God,  according 
to  the  testimony  of  the  Scriptures; 
which,  after  they  put  him  to  death,  they 
are  examined. 

AFTER  these  things  Pilate 
went  to  the  temple  of  the 
Jews,  and  called  together  all  the 
rulers  and  scribes,  and  doctors  of 
the  law,  and  went  with  them  into 
a  chapel  of  the  temple. 

2  And  commanding  that  all  the 
gates  should  be  shut,  said  to  them, 
I  have  heard  that  ye  have  a  cer- 
tain large  book  in  this  temple ; 
I  desire  you  therefore,  that  it 
may  be  brought  before  me. 

3  And  when  the  great  book, 
carried  by  four  ministers  of  the 
temple,  and  adorned  with  gold 
and  precious  stones,  was  brought, 
Pilate  said  to  them  all,  I  adjure 
you  by  the  God  of  your  Fathers, 
who  made  and  commanded  this 
temple  to  be  built,  that  ye  conceal 
not  the  truth  from  me. 

4  Ye  know  all  the  things  which 
are  written  in  that  book  ;  tell  me 
therefore  now,  if  ye  in  the  Scrip- 
tures have  found  any  thing  of 
that  Jesus  whom  ye  crucified,  and 
at  what  time  of  the  world  he 
ought  to  have  come :  shew  it  me. 

5  Then  having  sworn  Annas 
and  Caiaphas,  they  commanded 
all  the  rest  who  were  with  them 
to  go  out  of  the  chapel. 

6  And  they  shut  the  gates  of 
the  temple  and  of  the  chapel,  and 
said  to  Pilate,  Thou  hast  made  us 
to  swear,  O  judge,  by  the  build- 
ing of  this  temple,  to  declare  to 
thee  that  which  is  true  and 
right. 

7  After  we  had  crucified  Jesus, 
not  knowing  that  he  was  the  Son 
of  God,  but  supposing  he  wrought 
his  miracles  by  some  magical  arts, 
we  summoned  a  large  assembly 
in  this  temple. 

8  And  when  we  were  delibe- 
rating among  one  another  about 

89 


The  Jews  repent  and        NICODEMUS. 


acknowledge  Christ. 


the  miracles  which  Jesus  had  I 
wrought,  we  found  many  wit- 
nesses of  our  own  country,  who 
declared  that  they  had  seen  him 
alive  after  his  death,  and  that 
they  heard  him  discoursing  with 
his  disciples,  and  saw  him  ascend- 
ing unto  the  height  of  the 
heavens,  and  entering  into  them  ; 

9  And  we  saw  two  witnesses, 
whose  bodies  Jesus  raised  from 
the  dead,  who  told  us  of  many 
strange  things  which  Jesus  did 
among  the  dead,  of  which  we 
have  a  written  account  in  our 
hands. 

10  And  it  is  our  custom 
annually  to  open  this  holy  book 
before  an  assembly,  and  to  search 
there  for  the  counsel  of  God. 

11  And  we  found  in  the  first 
of  the  seventy  books,  where 
Michael  the  archangel  is  speak- 
ing to  the  third  son  of  Adam  the 
first  man,  an  account  that  after 
five  thousand  five  hundred  years, 
Christ  the  most  beloved  Son  of 
God  was  come  on  earth, 

12  And  we  further  consider- 
ed, that  perhaps  he  was  the  very 
God  of  Israel  who  spoke  to 
Moses,  Thou  shalt  make  the  ark 
of  the  testimony  ;  two  cubits  and 
a  half  shall  be  the  length  there- 
of, and  a  cubit  and  a  half  the 
breadth  thereof,  and  a  cubit  and 
a  half  the  height  thereof.1 

13  By  these  five  cubits  and  a 
half  for  the  building  of  the  ark 
of  the  Old  Testament,  we  per- 
ceived and  knew  that  in  five 
thousand  years  and  a  half  (one 
thousand)  years,  Jesus  Christ 
was  to  come  in  the  ark  or  taber- 
nacle of  a  body  ; 

14  And  so  our  scriptures  tes- 
tify that  he  is  the  son  of  God, 
and  the  Lord  and  King  of  Israel. 

15  And  because  after  his  suf- 


fering, our  chief  priests  were  sur- 
prised at  the  signs  which  were 
wrought  by  his  means,  we  opened 
that  book  to  search  all  the  gene- 
rations down  to  the  generation  of 
Joseph  and  Mary  the  mother  of 
Jesus,  supposing  him  to  be  of  the 
seed  of  David ; 

16  And  we  found  the  account 
of  the  creation,  and  at  what  time 
he  made  the  heaven  and  the  earth 
and  the  first  man  Adam,  and  that 
from  thence  to  the  flood,  were  two 
thousand,  two  hundred  and 
twelve  years. 

17  And  from  the  flood  to 
Abraham,  nine  hundred  and 
twelve.  And  from  Abraham  to 
Moses,  four  hundred  and  thirty. 
And  from  Moses  to  David  the 
king,  five  hundred  and  ten. 

18  And  from  David  to  the 
Babylonish  captivity,  five  hun- 
dred years.  And  from  the  Baby- 
lonish captivity  to  the  incarna- 
tion of  Christ,  four  hundred 
years. 

19  The  sum  of  all  which 
amounts  to  five  thousand  and 
half  (a  thousand). 

20  And  so  it  appears,  that 
Jesus  whom  we  crucified,  is 
Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of  God,  and 
true  and  Almighty  God.  Amen. 

In  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity, 
thus  end  the  Acts  of  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  which  the  Empe- 
ror Theodosius  the  Great  found 
at  Jerusalem,  in  the  hall  of 
Pontius  Pilate  among  the  public 
records;  the  things  ivere  acted 
in  the  nineteenth  year  of  Tibe- 
rius Cossar,  Emperor  of  the 
Romans,  and  in  the  seventeenth 
year  of  the  government  of  Herod 
the  son  of  Herod  king  of  Gali- 
lee, on  the  eighth  of  the  calends 
of  April,  which  is  the  twenty- 


90 


Exod.  xxv.  10. 


THE  APOSTLES'  CREED. 


third  day  of  the  month  of  March, 
in  the  ccud  Olympiad,  when 
Joseph  and  Caiaphas  were  Ru- 
lers of  the  Jews;  being  a  His- 


tory written  in  Hebrew  by  Ni- 
codemus,  of  what  happened  after 
our  Saviour's  crucifixion. 


The  APOSTLES'  CREED. 

[It  is  affirmed  by  Ambrose,  "  tbat  the  twelve  Apostles,  as  skilful  artificers 
assembled  together,  and  made  a  key  by  their  common  advice,  that  is, 
the  Creed ;  by  which  the  darkness  of  the  devil  is  disclosed,  that  the 
light  of  Christ  may  appear."1  Others  fable  that  every  Apostle  inserted 
an  article,  by  which  the  creed  is  divided  into  twelve  articles ;  and  a  ser- 
mon, fathered  upon  St.  Austin,  and  quoted  by  the  Lord  Chancellor 
King,  fabricates  that  each  particular  article  was  thus  inserted  by  each 
particular  Apostle : — 

"  Peter.— 1.  I  believe  in  God  the  Father  Almighty ; 

"  John. — 2.  Maker  of  heaven  and  earth ; 

*'  James. — 3.  And  in  Jesus  Christ  his  only  Son,  our  Lord  ; 

"  Andrew. — 4.  Who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Vir- 
gin Mary; 

"Philip- — 5.  Suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  was   crucified,  dead  and 
buried  ; 

"  Thomas. — 6.  He    descended  into  hell,  the  third   day  he  rose   again 
from  the  dead ; 

"  Bartholomew. — 7.  He  ascended  into  heaven,  sitteth  at  the  right  hand 
of  God  the  Father  Almighty ; 

''  Matthew. — 8.  From  thence  he  shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the 
dead; 

"  James,  the  son  of  Alpheus.—9.  I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  holy 
Catholic  Church ; 

"  Simon  Zelotes. — 10.  The  communion  of  saints,  the  forgiveness  of  sins ; 

u  Jude  the  brother  of  James. — 11.  The  resurrection  of  the  body ; 

"  Matthias. — 12.  Life  everlasting.     Amen."2 

Archbishop  Wake  says :  "  With  respect  to  the  Apostles  being  the 
authors  of  this  Creed,  it'is  not  my  intention  to  enter  on  any  particular 
examination  of  this  matter,  which  has  been  so  fully  handled,  not  only 
by  the  late  critics  of  the  Church  of  Eome,  Natalia  Alexander,3  Du  Pin,4 


1  Arab.  Opera,  torn.  ill.  Serm.  38,  p.  265.  2  Kind's  Hist.  Apost.  Creed, 
8vo,  p.  26.  »  Nat.  AleS-;  §i;  vui.  }.,  p.  490,  &c.  4  Du  Pin,  Bibiioth.  Ec- 
cles.,  vol,  i.,  p.  25. 

91 


THE  APOSTLES'  CREED. 

&c,  but  yet  more  especially  by  Archbishop  Usher,1  Gerard  Vossius,2 
Suicer,3  Spanhemius,4  Tentzelius,5  and  Sam.  Basnage,6  among  the  Pro- 
testants. It  shall  suffice  to  say,  that  as  it  is  not  likely,  that  had  any 
such  thing  as  this  been  done  by  the  Apostles,  St.  Luke  would  have 
passed  it  by,  without  taking  the  least  notice  of  it :  so  the  diversity  of 
Creeds  in  the  ancient  Church,  and  that  not  only  in  expression,  but  in 
some  whole  Articles  too,  sufficiently  shows,  that  the  Creed  which  we  call 
by  that  name,  was  not  composed  by  the  twelve  Apostles,  much  less  in 
the  same  form  in  which  it  now  is."7 

Mr.  Justice  Bailey  says:  "  It  is  not  to  be  understood  that  this  Creed 
was  framed  by  the  Apostles,  or  indeed  that  it  existed  as  a  Creed  in  their 
time  ;"8  and  after  giving  the  Creed  as  it  existed  in  the  year  600,  and 
which  is  here  copied  from  his  Common  Prayer  Book,  he  says,  "  how 
long  this  form  had  existed  before  the  year  600  is  not  exactly  known. 
The  additions  were  probably  made  in  opposition  to  particular  heresies 
and  errors.'' 

The  most  important  "addition,"  since  the  year  of  Christ  600,  is  that 
which  affirms,  that  Christ  descended  into  hell.  This  has  been  proved  not 
only  to  have  been  an  invention  after  the  Apostles'  time,  but  even  after 
the  time  of  Eusebius.  Bishop  Pearson  says,9  that  the  descent  into  hell 
was  not  in  the  ancient  creeds  or  rules  of  faith.  ''  It  is  not  to  be  found 
in  the  rules  of  faith  delivered  by  Irenseus,10  by  Origen,11  or  by  Tertul- 
lian.12  It  is  not  expressed  in  those  creeds  which  were  made  by  the 
councils  as  larger  explications  of  the  Apostles'  Creed ;  not  in  the  Nicene, 
or  Constantinopolitan ;  not  in  those  of  Ephesus,  or  Chalcedon ;  not  in 
those  confessions  made  at  Sardica,  Antioch,  Selucia,  Sirniium,  &c.  It 
is  not  mentioned  in  several  confessions  of  faith  delivered  by  particular 
persons ;  not  in  that  of  Eusebius  Caesariensis,  presented  to  the  council 
of  Nice  ;13  not  in  that  of  Marcellus,  bishop  of  Ancyra,  delivered  to  Pope 
Julius  ;M  not  in  that  of  Arius  and  Euzoius,  presented  to  Constantine  ;15 
not  in  that  of  Acacius,  bishop  of  Csesarea,  delivered  into  the  synod  of 
Selucia  ;16  not  in  that  of  Eustalhius,  Theophilus,  and  Sylvanus,  sent  to 
Liberius  ;17  there  is  no  mention  of  it  in  the  creed  of  St.  Basil  ;18  in  the 
creed  of  Epiphanus,19  Gelasius,  Damascus,  Macarius,  &c.  It  is  not  in 
the  creed  expounded  by  St.  Cyril,  though  some  have  produced  that 
creed  to  prove  it.  It  is  not  in  the  creed  expounded  by  St.  Augustine  f° 
not  in  that  other,21  attributed  to  St.  Augustine  in  another  place ;  not  in 
that  expounded  by  Maximus  Taurinensis ;  nor  in  that  so  often  inter- 
preted by  Petrus  Chrysologus ;  nor  in  that  of  the  church  of  Antioch, 
delivered  by  Cassianus;22  neither  is  it  to  be  seen  in  the  MS.  creeds  set 
forth  by  the  learned  Archbishop  of  Armagh.  It  is  affirmed  by  Ruffinus, 
that  in  his  time  it  was  neither  in  the  Roman  nor  the  Oriental  Creeds."23 


1  Diatrib.  de  Symb.  2  Voss.  Dissert,  de  tribus  Symbolis.  3  Suicer.  The- 
Baur.  Eccles.  torn.  ii.  Voce  cvpflolov,  p.  1086,  &c.  *  Spanhem,  Introd.  ad 
Hist.  Eccles.,  \  ii.,  c  3.  5  Ernest.  Tentzel.  Exercit.  select.  Exercit.  I.  6  Sam. 
Basnage  Exercit.  Hist.  Crit.  ad  Ann.  XLIV.  num.  17,  18.  7  Wake's  Apost. 
Fathers,  8vo,  p.  103.  8  Mr.  Justice  Bailey's  Common  Praver,  1813,  p.  9. 
9  Pearson  on  the  Creed,  fol.  1676,  p.  225.  _  10  Lib.  1,  c.  2.  n  Lib.  de  Prin- 
cip.  in  Prooem.  12  Advers.  Praxeam.,  c.  ii.,  Virgin,  veland.,  c.  1. — De  Prse- 
pcript.  advers.  Hseres.,  c.  13.  13  Theodoret,  1.  1,  c.  2.  u  Epiphan.  He.  es. 
72.  15  Socrat.  1.  1,  c.  19.  16  Ibid.  1.  2,  c.  40.  "  Ibid.  1.  4,  c.  12.  18  Tract, 
de  Fide  in  Ascet.  19  In  Anchorat.,  c.  120.  20  De  Fide  et  Symbolo.  21  De 
Symbolo  ad  Catechumenos.  22  De  Incarnat.,  lib.  6.  23  Exposit.  in  Symbol., 
Apost.,  I  20. 

92 


THE  APOSTLES'  CREED. 


As  it  stood  An.  Bom,  600.  Copied 
from  Mr.  Justice  Bailey's  Edition  of 
the  book  of  Common  Prayer. 

''  Before  the  year  600,  it  was  no  more 
than  this."— Me.  Justice  Bailey. 
p.  9  n. 

1  I  Believe  in  God  the  Fa- 
ther Almighty: 

2  And  in  Jesus  Christ  his  on- 
ly begotten  Son,  our  Lord  ; 

3  Who  was  born  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  Virgin  Mary, 


4  And  was  crucified  under 
Pontius  Pilate,  and  was  buried  ; 

5  And  the  third  day  rose 
again  from  the  dead. 

6  Ascended  into  heaven,  sit- 
teth  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
Father ; 

7  Whence  he  shall  come  to 
judge  the  quick  and  the  dead  ; 


8  And  in  the  Holy  Ghost : 


9  The  Holy  Church;  _ 

10  The  remission  of  sins  ; 


11  And    the    resurrection   of 
the  flesh,  Amen. 


As  it  stands  in  the  booh  of  Common 
Prayer  of  the  United  Church  of  Eng- 
land and  Ireland  as  by  law  estab- 
lished. 


1  I  Believe  in  God  the  Fa- 
ther Almighty,  maker  of  heaven 
and  earth : 

2  And  in  Jesus  Christ  his  on- 
ly Son,  our  Lord : 

3  Who  was  conceived  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary, 

4  Suffered  under  Pontius  Pi- 
late, was  crucified,  dead  and 
buried ; 

5  He  descended  into  hell ; 

6  The  third  day  he  rose  again 
from  the  dead ; 

7  He  ascended  into  heaven, 
and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of 
God  the  Father  Almighty ; 

8  From  thence  he  shall  come 
to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead. 

9  f[  I  believe  in  the  Holy 
Ghost ; 

10  The  holy  Catholic  Church ; 
the  communion  of  saints  ; 

11  The  forgiveness  of  sins  ; 

12  The  resurrection  of  the 
body ;  and  the  life  everlasting, 
Amen. 


93 


THE  EPISTLE  of  PAUL  the  APOSTLE  to  the  LAODI- 

CEANS. 

[This  Epistle  has  been  highly  esteemed  by  several  learned  men  of  the  church 
of  Rome  and  others.  The  Quakers  have  printed  a  translation  vid  plead 
for  it,  as  the  reader  may  see,  by  consulting  Poole's  Annotations  on  Col. 
vi.  16.  Sixtus  Senensis  mentions  two  MiSiS-,  the  one  in  the  Sorbonne 
Library  at  Paris,  which  is  a  very  ancient  copy,  and  the  other  in  the  Li- 
brary of  Joannes  a  Viridario,  at  Padua,  which  he  transcribed  and  pub- 
lished, and  which  is  the  authority  for  the  following  translation.  There 
is  a  very  old  translation  of  this  Epistle  in  the  British  Museum,  among 
the  Harleian  MSS.,  Cod.  1212.] 


1  He  salutes  the  brethren.  3  exhorts 
them  to  persevere  in  good  works,  4 
and  not  to  be  moved  by  vain  speaking. 
6  Rejoices  in  his  bonds,  10  desires 
them  to  live  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

PAUL  an  Apostle,  not  of 
men,  neither  by  man,  but 
by  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  brethren 
which  are  at  Laodicea. 

2  Grace  be  to  you,  and  Peace, 
from  God  the  Father  and  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

3  I  thank  Christ  in  every 
prayer  of  mine,  that  ye  may 
continue  and  persevere  in  good 
works  looking  for  that  which  is 
promised  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment. 

4  Let  not  the  vain  speeches 
of  any  trouble  you  who  pervert 
the  truth,  that  they  may  draw 
you  aside  from  the  truth  of  the 
Gospel  which  I  have  preached. 

5  And  now  may  God  grant, 
that  my  converts  may  attain  to 
a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  truth 
of  the  Gospel,  be  beneficent, 
and  doing  good  works  which  ac- 
company salvation. 

6  And  now  my  bonds,  which 
I  suffer  in  Christ,  are  manifest, 
in  which  I  rejoice  and  am  glad. 

7  For  I  know  that  this  shall 
turn  to  my  salvation  for  ever, 
which  shall  be  through  your 
prayer,  and  the  supply  of  the 
Holy  Spirit. 

8  Whether  I  live  or  die  ;  (for) 

94 


to  me  to  live  shall  be  a  life  to 
Christ,  to  die  will  be  joy. 

9  And  our  Lord  will  grant  us 
his  mercy,  that  ye  may  have 
the  same  love,  and  be  like- 
minded. 

10  Wherefore,  my  beloved,  as 
ye  have  heard  of  the  coming  of 
the  Lord,  so  think  and  act  in 
fear,  and  it  shall  be  to  you  life 
eternal ; 

11  For  it  is  God  who  worketh 
in  you  ; 

12  And  do  all  things  without 
sin. 

13  And  what  is  best,  my  be- 
loved, rejoice  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  avoid  all  filthy 
lucre. 

14  Let  all  your  requests  be 
made  known  to  God,  and  be 
steady  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ. 

15  And  whatsoever  things  are 
sound  and  true,  and  of*  good  re- 
port, and  chaste,  and  just,  and 
lovely,  these  things  do. 

16  Those  things  which  ye 
have  heard,  and  received,  think 
on  these  things,  and  peace  shall 
be  with  you. 

17  All  the  saints  salute  you. 

18  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ  be  with  your  spirit. 
Amen. 

19  Cause  this  Epistle  to  be 
read  to  the  Colossians,  and  the 
Epistle  of  the  Colossians  to  be 
read  among  you. 


The  EPISTLES  of  PAUL  the  APOSTLE  to  SENECA,  with 
SENECA'S  to  PAUL. 

[Several  very  learned  writers  have  entertained  a  favourable  opinion  of  these 
Epistles.  They  are  undoubtedly  of  high  antiquity.  Salmeron  cites 
them  to  prove  that  Seneca  was  one  of  Caesar's  household,  referred  to  bv 
Paul,  Philip-  iv.  22,  as  saluting  the  brethren  at  Philippi.  In  Jerome'"s 
enumeration  of  illustrious  men,  he  places  Seneca,  on  account  of  these 
Epistles,  amongst  the  ecclesiastical  and  holy  writers  of  the  Christian 
Church.  Sixtus  Senensis  has  published  them  in  his  Bibliotheque,  pp. 
89,  90  ;  and  it  is  from  thence  that  the  present  translation  is  made.  Bar- 
onius,  Bellarmine,  Dr.  Cave,  Spanheim,  and  others,  contend  that  they 
are  not  genuine.] 

CHAP.  I. 

Ann^us  Seneca  to  Paul  Greeting. 


which  I  could  immediately  have 
wrote  an  answer,  had  the  young 
SUPPOSE,  Paul,  you  have  man  Deen  at  home,  whom  I  in- 
:  tended  to  have  sent  to  you : 

2  For  you  know  when,  and  by 
whom,  at  what  seasons,  and  to 
whom  I  must  deliver  every  thing 


JL  been  informed  of  that  conver- 
sation, which  passed  yesterday 
between  me  and  my  Lucilius, 
concerning  hypocrisy  and  other 
subjects;  tor  there  were  some  of[w^llc"  I  send 


your  disciples  in  company  with 
us; 

2  For  wher>  we  were  retired 
into  the  Sallustian  gardens, 
through  which  they  were  also 
passing,  and  would  have  gone 
another  way,  by  our  persuasion 
they  joined  company  with  us. 

3  I  desire  you  to  believe,  that 
we  much  wish  for  your  conversa- 
tion: 

4  We  were  much  delighted 
with  your  book  of  many  Epistles, 
which  you  have  wrote  to  some 
cities  and  chief  towns  of  pro- 
vinces, and  contain  wonderful 
instructions  for  moral  conduct: 

5  Such  sentiments,  as  I  sup- 
pose you  were  not  the  author  of, 
but  only  the  instrument  of  con- 
veying, though  sometimes  both 
the  author  and  the  instrument. 

6  For  such  is  the  sublimity  of 
those  doctrines,  and  their  gran- 
deur, that  I  suppose  the  age  of 
a  man  is  scarce  sufficient  to  be 
instructed  and  perfected  in  the 
knowledge  of  them.  I  wish  your 
welfare,  my  brother.     Farewell. 

CHAP.   II. 

Paul  to  Seneca  Greeting. 

I  RECEIVED  your  letter  yes- 
terday    with     pleasure  :    to 


3  I  desire  therefore  you  would 
not  charge  me  with  negligence, 
if  I  wait  for  a  proper  person. 

4  I  reckon  myself  very  happy 
in  having  the  judgment  of  so 
valuable  a  person,  that  you  are 
delighted  with  my  Epistles : 

5  For  you  would  not  be  es- 
teemed a  censor,  a  philosopher, 
or  be  the  tutor  of  so  great  a 
prince,  and  a  master  of  every 
thing,  if  you  were  not  sincere. 
I  wish  you  a  lasting  prosperity. 

CHAP.  III. 

Ann^us  Seneca  to  Paul  Greeting. 

I  HAVE  completed  some  vo- 
lumes, and  divided  them  into 
their  proper  parts. 

2  I  am  determined  to  read 
them  to  Csesar,  and  if  any  favour- 
able opportunity  happens,  you 
also  shall  be  present,  when  they 
are  read ; 

3  But  if  that  cannot  be,  I  will 
appoint  and  give  you  notice  of  a 
day,  when  we  will  together  read 
over  the  performance. 

4  I  had  determined,  if  I  could 
with  safety,  first  to  have  your  opi- 
nion of  it,  before  I  published  it 
to  Csesar,  that  you  might  be  con- 
vinced of  my  affection  to  you. 
Farewell,  dearest  Paul. 

95 


PAUL  TO  SENECA. 


CHAP.  IV. 

Paul  to  Seneca  Greeting. 

AS  often  as  I  read  your  letters, 
I  imagine  you  present  with 
me  ;  nor  indeed  do  I  think  any 
other,  than  that  you  are  always 
with  us. 

2  As  soon  therefore  as  you  be- 
gin to  come,  we  shall  presently 
see  each  other.  I  wish  you  all 
prosperity. 

CHAP.  V. 

Ann^eus  Seneca  to  Paul  Greeting. 

WE  are  very  much  concerned 
at  your  too  long  absence 
from  us. 

2  What  is  it,  or  what  affairs 
are  they,  which  obstruct  your 
coming  ? 

3  If  you  fear  the  anger  of 
Csesar,  because  you  have  abon- 
doned  your  former  religion,  and 
made  proselytes  also  of  others, 
you  have  this  to  plead,  that  your 
acting  thus  proceeded  not  from 
inconstancy,  but  judgment. 
Farewell. 

CHAP.  VI. 

Paul    io    Seneca    and    Lucilius 
Greeting. 

CONCERNING  those  things 
about  which  ye  wrote  to  me 
it  is  not  proper  for  me  to  mention 
anything  in  writing  with  pen  and 
ink :  the  one  of  which  leaves 
marks,  and  the  other  evidently 
declares  things. 

2  Especially  since  I  know  that 
there  are  near  you,  as  well  as  me, 
those  who  will  understand  my 
meaning. 

3  Deference  is  to  be  paid  to  all 
men,  and  so  much  the  more,  as 
they  are  more  likely  to  take  occa- 
sions of  quarrelling. 

4  And  if  we  show  a  submissive 
temper,  we  shall  overcome  effec- 
tually in  all  points,  if  so  be  they 
are,  who  are  capable  of  seeing 


and  acknowledging  themselves 
to  have  been  in  the  wrong.  Fare- 
well. 

CHAP.  VII. 
Ajrar.a;us  Seneca  to  Paul  Greeting. 

I  PROFESS  myself  extremely 
pleased  with  the  reading  your 
letters  to  the  Galatians,  Corin- 
thians, and  people  of  Achaia. 

2  For  the  Holy  Ghost  has  in 
them  by  you  delivered  those 
sentiments  which  are  very  lofty, 
sublime,  deserving  of  all  respect, 
and  beyond  your  own  invention. 

3  I  could  wish  therefore,  that 
when  you  are  writing  things  so 
extraordinary,  there  might  not 
be  wanting  an  elegancy  of  speech 
agreeable  to  their  majesty. 

4  And  I  must  own  my  bro- 
ther, that  I  may  not  at  once  dis- 
honestly conceal  anything  from 
you,  and  be  unfaithful  to  my  own 
conscience,  that  the  emperor  is 
extremely  pleased  with  the  senti- 
ments of  your  Epistles ; 

5  For  when  he  heard  the  be- 
ginning of  them  read,  he  declar- 
ed, That  he  was  surprised  to  find 
such  notions  in  a  person,  who 
had  not  had  a  regular  education. 

6  To  which  I  replied,  That  the 
Gods  sometimes  made  use  of 
mean  (innocent)  persons  to  speak 
by,  and  gave  him  an  instance  of 
this  in  a  mean  countryman, 
named  Vatienus,  who,  when  he 
was  in  the  country  of  Reate,  had 
two  men  appeared  to  him,  called 
Castor  and  Pollux,  and  received 
a  revelation  from  the  gods.  Fare- 
well. 

CHAP.  VIII. 
Paul  to  Seneca  Greeting. 

ALTHOUGH  I  know  the  em- 
peror is  both  an  admirer 
and  favourer  of  our  (religion),  yet 
give  me  leave  to  advise  you 
against  your  suffering  any  injury, 
(by  shewing  favour  to  us.) 


r^feff 


~'Si 


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131?      B 


tjttllk 


THE   LAST   JUDGMENT. 


FROM    A     PERSIAN     MINIATURE    OF    THE    EIGHTH   CENTURY. 


PAUL  AND  SENECA. 


2  I  think  indeed  you  ventured 
upon  a  very  dangerous  attempt, 
when  you  would  declare  (to  the 
emperor)  that  which  is  so  very 
contrary  to  his  religion,  and  way 
of  worship  ;  seeing  he  is  a  wor- 
shipper of  the  heathen  gods. 

3  I  know  not  what  you  parti- 
cularly had  in  view,  when  you 
told  him  of  this ;  but  I  suppose 
you  did  it  out  of  too  great  re- 
spect for  me. 

4  But  I  desire  that  for  the  fu- 
ture you  would  not  do  so ;  for 
you  had  need  be  careful,  lest  by 
shewing  your  affection  for  me, 
you  should  offend  your  master : 

5  His  anger  indeed  will  do  us 
no  harm,  if  he  continue  a  hea- 
then; nor  will  his  not  being 
angry  be  of  any  service  to  us : 

6  And  if  the  empress  act  wor- 
thy of  her  character,  she  will 
not  be  angry ;  but  if  she  acts  as 
a  woman,  she  will  be  affronted. 
Farewell. 


CHAP.  IX. 

Ann^tjs  Seneca  to  Paul  Greeting, 

I  KNOW  that  my  letter,  where- 
in I  acquainted  you,  that  I 
had  read  to  the  Emperor  your 
Epistles,  does  not  so  much  affect 
you  as  the  nature  of  the  things 
(contained  in  them), 

2  Which  do  so  powerfully  di- 
vert men's  minds  from  their  for- 
mer manners  and  practices,  that 
I  have  always  been  surprised, 
and  have  been  fully  convinced 
of  it  by  many  arguments  here- 
tofore. 

3  Let  us  therefore  begin 
afresh  ;  and  if  any  thing  hereto- 
fore has  been  imprudently  acted, 
do  you  forgive. 

4  I  have  sent  you  a  book  de 
copia  verborum.  Farewell,  dear- 
est Paul. 

7 


CHAP.  X. 

Paul  to  Seneca  Greeting. 

AS  often  as  I  write  to  you, 
and  place  my  name  before 
yours,  I  do  a  thing  both  dis- 
agreeable to  myself,  and  con- 
trary to  our  religion : 

2  For  I  ought,  as  I  have  often 
declared,  to  become  all  things  to 
all  men,  and  to  have  that  regard 
to  your  quality,  which  the  Roman 
law  has  honoured  all  senators 
with ;  namely,  to  put  my  name 
last  in  the  (inscription  of  the) 
Epistle,  that  I  may  not  at  length 
with  uneasiness  and  shame  be 
obliged  to  do  that  which  it  was 
always  my  inclination  to  do. 
Farewell,  most  respected  master. 
Dated  the  fifth  of  the  calends  of 
July,  in  the  fourth  consulship  of 
Nero,  and  Messala. 

CHAP.  XL 

Ann-EUS  Seneca  to  Paul   Greeting. 

ALL  happiness  to  you,   my 
dearest  Paul. 

2  If  a  person  so  great,  and 
every  way  agreeable  as  you  are, 
become  not  only  a  common,  but 
a  most  intimate  friend  to  me, 
how  happy  will  be  the  case  of 
Seneca ! 

3  You  therefore,  who  are  so 
eminent,  and  so  far  exalted  above 
all,  even  the  greatest,  do  not 
think  yourself  unfit  to  be  first 
named  in  the  inscription  of  an 
Epistle ; 

4  Lest  I  should  suspect  you 
intend  not  so  much  to  try  me, 
as  to  banter  me ;  for  you  know 
yourself  to  be  a  Roman  citizen. 

5  And  I  could  wish  to  be  in 
that  circumstance  or  station 
which  you  are,  and  that  you 
were  in  the  same  that  I  am. 
Farewell,  dearest  Paul.  Dated 
the  xth  of  the  calends  of  April, 
in  the  consulship  of  Aprianus 
and  Capito. 

97 


PAUL  AND  SENECA. 


CHAP.  XII. 

Axxjevs  Seneca  to  Paul  Greeting. 

ALL  happiness  to  you,my  dear- 
est Pau  1.  Do  you  not  sup- 
pose I  am  extremely  concerned 
and  grieved  that  your  innocence 
should  bring  you  into  sufferings  ? 

2  And  that  all  the  people 
should  suppose  you  (Christians) 
so  criminal,  and  imagine  all  the 
misfortunes  that  happen  to  the 
city,  to  be  caused  by  you  ? 

3  But  let  us  bear  the  charge 
with  a  patient  temper,  appeal- 
ing (for  our  innocence)  to  the 
court  (above),  which  is  the  only 
one  our  hard  fortune  will  allow 
us  to  address  to,  till  at  length 
our  misfortunes  shall  end  in  un- 
alterable happiness. 

4  Former  ages  have  produced 
(tyrants)  Alexander  the  son  of 
Philip,  and  Dionysius ;  ours 
also  has  produced  Caius  Caesar ; 
whose  inclinations  were  their 
only  laws. 

5  As  to  the  frequent  burnings 
of  the  city  of  Rome,  the  cause  is 
manifest ;  and  if  a  person  in  my 
mean  circumstances  might  be 
allowed  to  speak,  and  one  might 
declare  these  dark  things  with- 
out danger,  every  one  should  see 
the  whole  of  the  matter. 

6  The  Christians  and  Jews 
are  indeed  commonly  punished 
for  the  crime  of  burning  the 
city ;  but  that  impious  miscreant, 
who  delights  in  murders  and 
butcheries,  and  disguises  his  vil- 
lanies  with  lies,  is  appointed  to, 
or  reserved  till,  his  proper  time. 

7  And  as  the  life  of  every  ex- 
cellent person  is  now  sacrificed 
instead  of  that  one  person  (who 
is  the  author  of  the  mischief), 
so  this  one  shall  be  sacrificed  for 
many,  and  he  shall  be  devoted 
to  be  burnt  with  fire  instead  of 
all. 


8  One  hundred  and  thirty-two 
houses,  and  four  whole  squares 
(or  islands)  were  burnt  down  in 
six  days :  the  seventh  put  an 
end  to  the  burning.  I  wish  you 
all  happiness. 

9  Dated  the  fifth  of  the  calends 
of  _  April,  in  the  consulship  of 
Frigius  and  Bassus. 

CHAP.  XIII. 

Ann^eus  Seneca  to  Paxil  Greeting. 

ALL    happiness    to   you,   my 
dearest  Paul. 

2  You  have  wrote  many  vo- 
lumes in  an  allegorical  and  mys- 
tical style,  and  therefore  such 
mighty  matters  and  business 
being  committed  to  you,  require 
not  to  be  set  off  with  any  rhe- 
torical flourishes  of  speech,  but 
only_with  some  proper  elegance. 

3  I  remember  you  often  say, 
that  many  by  affecting  such  a 
style  do  injury  to  their  subjects, 
and  lose  the  force  of  the  matters 
they  treat  of. 

4  But  in  this  I  desire  you  to 
regard  me,  namely,  to  have  re- 
spect to  true  Latin,  and  to 
choose  just  words,  that  so  you 
may  the  better  manage  the  noble 
trust  which  is  reposed  in  you. 

5  Farewell.  Dated  vth  of  the 
names  of  July,  Leo  and  Savinus 
consuls. 

CHAP.  XIV. 
Paul  to  Seneca  Greeting. 

YOUR  serious  consideration 
requited  with  these  discov- 
eries, which  the  Divine  Being 
has  granted  but  to  few. 

2  I  am  thereby  assured  that  I 
sow  the  most  strong  seed  in  a 
fertile  soil,  not  anything  mate- 
rial, which  is  subject  to  corrup- 
tion, but  the  durable  word  of 
God,  which  shall  increase  and 
bring  forth  fruit  to  eternity. 


PAUL  AND  THECLA. 


3  That  which  by  your  wis- 
dom you  have  attained  to,  shall 
abide  without  decay  for  ever. 

4 'Believe  that  you  ought  to 
avoid  the  superstitions  of  Jews 
and  Gentiles. 

5  The  things  which  you  have 
in  some  measure  arrived  to,  pru- 
dently make  known  to  the  em- 
peror, his  family,  and  to  faithful 
friends ; 

6  And"  though  your  sentiments 


will  seem  disagreeable,  and  not 
be  comprehended  by  them,  see- 
ing most  of  them  will  not  regard 
your  discourses,  yet  the  Word 
of  God  once  infused  into  them, 
will  at  length  make  them  become 
new  men,  aspiring  towards  God. 
7  Farewell  Seneca,  who  art 
most  dear  to  us.  Dated  on  the 
Calends  of  August,  in  the  con- 
sulship of  Leo  and  Savinus. 


The  ACTS  of  PAUL  and  THECLA. 

[Tertullian  says  that  this  piece  was  forged  by  a  Presbyter  of  Asia,  who  being 
convicted,  "confessed  that  he  did  it  out  of  respect  of  Paul,"  and  Pope 
Gelasius,  in  his  Decree  against  apocryphal  books,  inserted  it  among 
them.  Notwithstanding  this,  a  large  part  of  the  history  was  credited, 
and  looked  upon  as  genuine  among  the  primitive  Christians.  Cyprian, 
Eusebius,  Epiphanius,  Austin,  Gregory  Nazianzen,  Chrysostom,  and 
Severus  Sulpitius,  who  all  lived  within  the  fourth  century,  mention 
Thecla,  or  refer  to  her  history.  Basil  of  Seleucia  wrote  her  acts,  suffer- 
ings, and  victories,  inverse;  and  Euagrius  Scholasticus,  an  ecclesiasti- 
cal historian,  about  590,  relates  that  ''  after  the  Emperor  Zeno  had 
abdicated  his  empire,  and  Basilik  had  taken  possession  of  it,  he  had  a 
vision  of  the  holy  and  excellent  martyr  Thecla,  who  promised  him  the 
restoration  of  his  empire;  for  which,  when  it  was  brought  about,  he 
erected  and  dedicated  a  most  noble  and  sumptuous  temple  to  this 
famous  martyr  Thecla,  at  Seleucia,  a  city  of  Isauria,  and  bestowed  upon 
it  very  noble  endowments,  which  (says  the  author)  are  preserved  even 
till  this  day."  Hist.  Eccl.,  lib.  3,  cap.  8.—  Cardinal  Baronius,  Locrinus, 
Archbishop  Wake,  and  others;  and  also  the  learned  Grabe,  who  edited 
the  Septuagint,  and  revived  the  Acts  of  Paul  and  Thecla,  consider  them 
as  having  been  written  in  the  Apostolic  age ;  as  containing  nothing 
superstitious,  or  disagreeing  from,  the  opinions  and  belief  of  those  times; 
and,  in  short,  as  a  genuine  and  authentic  history.  Again,  it  is  said, 
that  this  is  not  the  original  book  of  the  early  Christians;  but  however 
that  may  be,  it  is  published  from  the  Greek  MS.  in  the  Bodleian  Library 
at  Oxford,  which  Dr.  Mills  copied  and  transmitted  to  Dr.  Grabe.] 


The  Martyrdom  of  the  holy  and 
glorious  first  Martyr  and  Apos- 
tle Thecla. 

CHAP.  I. 

1  Demas  and  Hermogenes  become  PauPs 
companions.  4  Paul  visits  Onesi- 
phorus.  8  Invited  by  Demas  and 
Hermogenes.  11  Preaches  to  the 
household  of  Onesiphorus.  12  His 
sermon. 


WHEN  Paul  went  up  to  Ico- 
nium,  after  his  flight  from 
Antioch,  Demas  and  Hermoge- 
nes became  his  companions,  who 
were  then  full  of  hypocrisy. 

2  But  Paul  looking  only  at 
the  goodness  of  God,  did  them 
no  harm,  but  loved  them  greatly. 

3  Accordingly  he  endeavoured 
to  make  agreeable  to  them,  all 

9(J 


Paul' s  companions     PAUL  AND  THECLA.         and  preachings. 


the  oracles  and  doctrines  of 
Christ,  and  the  design  of  the 
Gospel  of  God's  well-beloved 
Son,  instructing  them  in  the 
knowledge  of  Christ,  as  it  was 
revealed  to  him. 

4  ^f  And  a  certain  man  named 
Onesiphorus,  hearing  that  Paul 
was  come  to  Iconium,  went  out 
speedily  to  meet  him,  together 
with  his  wife  Lectra,  and  his 
sons  Simmia  and  Zeno,  to  invite 
him  to  their  house. 

5  For  Titus  had  given  them 
a  description  of  Paul's  person- 
age, they  as  yet  not  knowing 
him  in  person,  but  only  being 
acquainted  with  his  character. 

6  They  went  in  the  king's 
highway  to  Lystra,  and  stood 
there  waiting  for  him,  comparing 
all  who  passed  by,  with  that  de- 
scription which  Titus  had  given 
them. 

7  At  length  they  saw  a  man 
coming  (namely  Paul),  of  a  low 
stature,  bald  (or  shaved)  on  the 
head,  crooked  thighs,  handsome 
legs,  hollow-eyed ;  had  a  crooked 
nose ;  full  of  grace ;  for  some- 
times he  appeared  as  a  man, 
sometimes  he  had  the  counte- 
nance of  an  angel.  And  Paul 
saw  Onesiphorus,  and  was  glad. 

8  ^[  And  Onesiphorus  said  : 
Hail,  thou  servant  of  the  blessed 
God.  Paul  replied,  The  grace 
of  God  be  with  thee  and  thy 
family. 

9  But  Demas  and  Hermoge- 
nes  were  moved  with  envy,  and, 
under  a  show  of  great  religion, 
Demas  said,  And  are  not  we 
also  servants  of  the  blessed  God  ? 
Why  didst  thou  not  salute  us  ? 

10  Onesiphorus  replied,  Be- 
cause I  have  not  perceived  in 
you  the  fruits  of  righteousness  ; 
nevertheless,  if  ye  are  of  that 
sort,  ye  shall  be  welcome  to  my 
house  also. 

100 


11  Then  Paul  went  into  the 
house  of  Onesiphorus,  and  there 
was  great  joy  among  the  family 
on  that  account :  and  they  em- 
ployed themselves  in  prayer, 
breaking  of  bread,  and  hearing 
Paul  preach  the  word  of  God 
concerning  temperance  and  the 
resurrection,  in  the  following 
manner : 

12  Tf  Blessed  are  the  pure  in 
heart ;  for  they  shall  see  God. 

13  Blessed  are  they  who  keep 
their  flesh  undefiled  (or  pure)  ; 
for  they  shalJ.  be  the  temple  of 
God. 

14  Blessed  are  the  temperate 
(or  chaste)  ;  for  God  will  reveal 
himself  to  them. 

15  Tf  Blessed  are  they  who 
abandon  their  secular  enjoy- 
ments ;  for  they  shall  be  accept- 
ed of  God. 

16  Blessed  are  they  who  have 
wives,  as  though  they  had  them 
not;  for  they  shall  be  made 
angels  of  God.^ 

17  Blessed  are  they  who  trem- 
ble at  the  word  of  God ;  for 
they  shall  be  comforted. 

18  Blessed  are  they  who  keep 
their  baptism  pure;  for  they 
shall  find  peace  with  the  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

19  Tf  Blessed  are  they  who 
pursue  the  wisdom  (or  doctrine) 
of  Jesus  Christ ;  for  they  shall 
be  called  the  sons  of  the  Most 
High. 

20  Blessed  are  they  who  ob- 
serve the  instructions  of  Jesus 
Christ;  for  they  shall  dwell  in 
eternal  light. 

21 '  Blessed  are  they,  who  for 
the  love  of  Christ  abandon  the 
glories  of  the  world ;  for  they 
shall  judge  angels,  and  be  placed 
at  the  right  hand  of  Christ,  and 
shall  not  suffer  the  bitterness  of 
the  last  judgment. 
22  ^[  Blessed  are  the  bodies  and 


Thecla  admires         PAUL  AND  THECLA.      FauVs  preaaHrig. 

souls  of  virgins ;  for  they  are  ac- 
ceptable to  God,  and  shall  not 
lose  the  reward  of  their  virginity ; 
for  the  word  of  their  (heavenly) 
Father  shall  prove  effectual  to 
their  salvation  in  the  day  of  his 
Son,  and  they  shall  enjoy  rest 
for  evermore. 


CHAP.  II. 

1  Thecla  listens  anxiously  to  Paul's 
preaching.  5  Thamyris,  her  admirer, 
concerts  with  Theoclia  her  mother  to 
dissuade  her,  12  in  vain.  14  Demas 
and  Hermogenes  vilify  Paul  to 
Thamyris. 

WHILE  Paul  was  preach- 
ing this  sermon  in  the 
church  which  was  in  the  house  of 
Onesiphorus,  a  certain  virgin, 
named  Thecla  (whose  mother's 
name  was  Theoclia,  and  who  was 
betrothed  to  a  man  named  Tha- 
myris) sat  at  a  certain  window  in 
her  house. 

2  From  whence,  by  the  advan- 
tage of  a  window  in  the  house 
where  Paul  was,  she  both  night 
and  day  heard  Paul's  sermons 
concerning  God,  concerning  cha- 
rity, concerning  faith  in  Christ, 
and  concerning  prayer  ; 

3  Nor  would  she  depart  from 
the  window,  till  with  exceeding 
joy  she  was  subdued  to  the  doc- 
trines of  faith. 

4  At  length,  when  she  saw 
many  women  and  virgins  going 
in  to  Paul,  she  earnestly  desired 
that  she  might  bethought  worthy 
to  appear  in  his  presence,  and 
hear  the  word  of  Christ ;  for  she 
had  not  yet  seen  Paul's  person, 
but  only  heard  his  sermons,  and 
that  alone. 

5  ^[  But  when  she  would  not 
be  prevailed  upon  to  depart  from 
the  window,  her  mother  sent  to 
Thamyris,  who  came  with  the 
greatest  pleasure,  as  hoping  now 


to  marry  her.  Accordingly  he 
said  to  Theoclia,  Where  is  my 
Thecla? 

6  Theoclia  replied,  Thamyris, 
I  have  something  very  strange  to 
tell  you ;  for  Thecla,  for  the  space 
of  three  days,  will  not  move  from 
the  window  not  so  much  as  to 
eat  or  drink,  but  is  so  intent  in 
hearing  the  artful  and  delusive 
discourses  of  a  certain  foreigner, 
that  I  perfectly  admire,  Tha- 
myris, that  a  young  woman  of 
her  known  modesty,  will  suffer 
herself  to  be  so  prevailed  upon. 

7  For  that  man  has  disturbed 
the  whole  city  of  Iconium,  and 
even  your  Thecla,  among  others, 
All  the  women  and  young  men 
flock  to  him  to  receive  his  doc- 
trine ;  who,  besides  all  the  rest, 
tells  them  that  there  is  but  one 
God,  who  alone  is  to  be  worship- 
ped, and  that  we  ought  to  live  in 
chastity. 

8  1  Notwithstanding  this,  my 
daughter  Thecla,  like  a  spider's 
web  fastened  to  the  window,  is 
captivated  by  the  discourses  of 
Paul,  and  attends  upon  them 
with  prodigious  eagerness,  and 
vast  delight ;  and  thus,  by  attend- 
ing on  what  he  says,  the  young 
woman  is  seduced.  Now  then 
do  you  go,  and  speak  to  her,  for 
she  is  betrothed  to  you. 

9  Accordingly  Thamyris  went, 
and  having  saluted  her,  and  tak- 
ing care  not  to  surprise  her,  he 
said,  Thecla,  my  spouse,  why  sit- 
test  thou  in  this  melancholy  pos- 
ture ?  What  strange  impressions 
are  made  upon  thee?  Turn  to 
Thamyris,  and  blush. 

10  Her  mother  also  spake  to 
her  after  the  same  manner,  and 
said,  Child,  why  dost  thou  sit  so 
melancholy,  and,  like  one  asto- 
nished, makest  no  reply  ? 

11  Then  they  wept  exceeding- 
ly, Thamyris,  that  he  had   lost 

101 


Demaj andift'enmogehes- PAUL  AND  THECLA.        betray  Paul. 


his  spouse ;  Theoclia,  that  she  had 
lost  her  daughter ;  and  the  maids, 
that  they  had  lost  their  mistress ; 
and  there  was  an  universal 
mourning  in  the  family. 

12  But  all  these  things  made 
no  impression  upon  Thecla,  so 
as  to  incline  her  so  much  as  to 
turn  to  them,  and  take  notice  of 
them  ;  for  she  still  regarded  the 
discourses  of  Paul. 

13  Then  Thamyris  ran  forth 
into  the  street  to  observe  who 
they  were  who  went  into  Paul, 
and  came  out  from  him;  and 
he  saw  two  men  engaged  in  a 
very  warm  dispute,  and  said  to 
them; 

14  T[  Sirs,  what  business  have 
you  here?  and  who  is  that  man 
within,  belonging  to  you,  who 
deludes  the  minds  of  men,  both 
young  men  and  virgins,  per- 
suading them,  that  they  ought 
not  to  many,  but  continue  as 
they  are  ? 

15  1  promise  to  give  you  a  con- 
siderable sum,  if  you  will  give 
me  a  just  account  of  him  ;  for  I 
am  the  chief  person  of  this 
city. 

16  Demas  and  Hermogenes  re- 
plied, We  cannot  so  exactly  tell 
who,  he  is;  but  this  we  know, 
that  he  deprives  young  men  of 
their  (intended)  wives,  and  vir- 
gins of  their  (intended)  hus- 
bands, by  teaching,  There  can 
be  no  future  resurrection,  unless 
ye  continue  in  chastity,  and  do 
not  defile  your  flesh. 

CHAP.  III. 

1   They  betray  Paul.  7  Thamyris  arrests 
him  with  officers. 

THEN  said  Thamyris,  Come 
along  with  me  to  my  house, 
and  refresh  yourselves.    So  they 
went  to  a  very  splendid  entertain- 
ment, where  there  was  wine  in 
102 


abundance,  and  very  rich  provi- 
sion. 

2  They  were  brought  to  a  table 
richly  spread,  and  made  to  drink 
plentifully  by  Thamyris,  on  ac- 
count of  the  love  he  had  for  The- 
cla and  his  desire  to  marry  her. 

3  Then  Thamyris  said,  I  desire 
ye  would  inform  me  what  the 
doctrines  of  this  Paul  are,  that  I 
may  understand  them  ;  for  I  am 
under  no  small  concern  about 
Thecla,  seeing  she  so  delights  in 
that  stranger's  discourses,  that  I 
am  in  danger  of  losing  my  in- 
tended wife. 

4  1  Then  Demas  and  Hermo- 
genes answered  both  together, 
and  said,  Let  him  be  brought  be- 
fore the  governor  Castellius,  as 
one  who  endeavours  to  persuade 
the  people  into  the  new  religion 
of  the  Christians,  and  he,  accord- 
ing to  the  order  of  Csesar,  will  put 
him  to  death,  by  which  means 
you  will  obtain  your  wife ; 

5  While  Ve  at  the  same  time 
will  teach  her,  that  the  resurrec- 
tion which  he  speaks  of  is  already 
come,  and  consists  in  our  having 
children ;  and  that  we  then  arose 
again,  when  we  came  to  the 
knowledge  of  God. 

6  Thamyris  having  this  ac- 
count from  them,  was  filled  with 
hot  resentment : 

7  And  rising  early  in  the  morn- 
ing he  went  to  the  house  of  One- 
siphorus,  attended  by  the  magis- 
trates, the  jailor,  and  a  great  mul- 
titude of  people  with  staves,  and 
said  to  Paul ; 

8  Thou  hast  perverted  the  city 
of  Iconium,  and  among  the  rest, 
Thecla,  who  is  betrothed  to  me, 
so  that  now  she  will  not  marry 
me.  Thou  shalt  therefore  go 
with  us  to  the  governor  Castel- 
lius. 

9  And  all  the  multitude  cried 
out,  Away   with  this   impostor 


Paul  imprisoned,      PAUL  AND  THECLA.       Thecla  visits  him. 


(magician),  for  he  has  perverted 
the  minds  of  our  wives,  and  all 
the  people  hearken  to  him. 

CHAP.  IV. 

1  Paul  accused  be/ore  the  governor  by 
Thorny r is.  5  Defends  himself.  9  Is 
committed  to  -prison,  10  and  visited 
by  Thecla. 

rnHEIST  Thamyris  standing  be- 
X  fore  the  governor's  judg- 
ment-seat, spake  with  a  loud 
voice  in  the  following  manner. 

2  O  governor,  I  know  not 
whence  this  man  cometh ;  but 
he  is  one  who  teaches  that  matri- 
mony is  unlawful.  Command 
him  therefore  to  declare  before 
you  for  what  reason  he  publishes 
such  doctrines. 

3  While  he  was  saying  thus, 
Demas  and  Hermogenes  (whis- 
pered to  Thamyris,  and)  said  ; 
Say  that  he  is  a  Christian,  and 
he  will  presently  be  put  to  death. 

4  But  the  governor  was  more 
deliberate,  and  calling  to'  Paul, 
he  said,  Who  art  thou  ?  What 
dost  thou  teach  ?  They  seem  to 
lay  gross  crimes  to  thy  charge. 

5  Paul  then  spake  with  a  loud 
voice,  saying,  As  I  am  now  called 
to  give  an  account,  O  governor, 
of  my  doctrines,  I  desire  your 
audience. 

6  That  God,  who  is  a  God  of 
vengeance,  and  who  stands  in 
need  of  nothing  but  the  salva- 
tion of  his  creatures,  has  sent 
me  to  reclaim  them  from  their 
wickedness  and  corruptions,  from 
all  (sinful)  pleasures,  and  from 
death  ;  and  to  persuade  them  to 
sin  no  more. 

7  On  this  account,  God  sent 
his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  whom  I 
preach,  and  in  whom  I  instruct 
men  to  place  their  hopes  as  that 
person  who  only  had  such  com- 
passion on  the  deluded  world, 
that  it  might  not,  0  governor, 


be  condemned,  but  have  faith, 
the  fear  of  God,  the  knowledge 
of  religion,  and  the  love  of 
truth. 

8  So  that  if  I  only  teach 
those  things  which  I  have  re- 
ceived by  revelation  from  God, 
where  is  my  crime  ? 

9  When  the  governor  heard 
this,  he  ordered  Paul  to  be  bound, 
and  to  be  put  in  prison,  till  he 
should  be  more  at  leisure  to  hear 
him  more  fully. 

10  But  in  the  night,  Thecla 
taking  off  her  ear-rings,  gave 
them  to  the  turnkey  of  the  pri- 
son, who  then  opened  the  doors 
to  her,  and  let  her  in  ; 

11  And  when  she  made  a  pre- 
sent of  a  silver  looking-glass  to 
the  jailor,  was  allowed  to  go 
into  the  room  where  Paul  was ; 
then  she  sat  down  at  his  feet, 
and  heard  from  him  the  great 
things  of  God. 

12  And' as  she  perceived  Paul 
not  to  be  afraid  of  suffering,  but 
that  by  divine  assistance  he  be- 
haved himself  with  courage,  her 
faith  so  far  increased  that  she 
kissed  his  chains. 

CHAP.  V. 

1  Thecla  sought  and  found  by  her  rela- 
tions. 4  Brought  with  Paul  before 
the  governor.  9  Ordered  to  be  burnt, 
and  Paul  to  be  uhipt.  15  Thecla 
miraculously  saved. 

AT  length  Thecla  was  missed, 
and  sought  for  by  the  family 
and  by  Thamyris  in  every  street, 
as  though  she  had  been  lost,  but 
one  of  the  porter's  fellow-ser- 
vants told  them,  that  she  had 
gone  out  in  the  night-time. 

2  Then  they  examined  the 
porter,  and  he  told  them,  that 
she  was  gone  to  the  prison  to 
the  strange  man. 

3  They  went  therefore  accord- 
ing to  his  direction,  and  there 

103 


<t\^    0*Theth  miraculously  PAUL  AND  THECLA.  saved  from  burning. 


CALt^ 


found  her  ;  and  when  they  came 
out,  they  got  a  mob  together, 
and  went  and  told  the  governor 
all  that  happened. 

4  Upon  which  he  ordered 
Paul  to  be  brought  before  his 
judgment  seat. 

5  Thecla  in  the  mean  time 
lay  wallowing  on  the  ground  in 
the  prison,  in  that  same  place 
where  Paul  had  sat  to  teach  her ; 
upon  which  the  governor  also 
ordered  her  to  be  brought  before 
his  judgment-seat;  which  sum- 
mons she  received  with  joy,  and 
went. 

6  When  Paul  was  brought 
thither,  the  mob  with  more  ve- 
hemence cried  out,  He  is  a  ma- 
gician, let  him  die. 

7  Nevertheless  the  governor 
attended  with  pleasure  upon 
Paul's  discourses  of  the  holy 
works  of  Christ;  and,  after  a 
council  called,  he  summoned 
Thecla,  and  said  to  her,  Why 
do  you  not,  according  to  the  law 
of  the  Iconians,  marry  Thamyris? 

8  She  stood  still,  with  her 
eyes  fixed  upon  Paul ;  and  find- 
ing she  made  no  reply,  Theoclia, 
her  mother,  cried  out,  saying, 
Let  the  unjust  creature  be  burnt ; 
let  her  be  burnt  in  the  midst  of 
the  theatre,  for  refusing  Thamy- 
ris, that  all  women  may  learn 
from  her  to  avoid  such  practices. 

9  Then  the  governor  was  ex- 
ceedingly concerned,  and  ordered 
Paul  to  be  whipt  out  of  the  city, 
and  Thecla  to  be  burnt. 

10  So  the  governor  arose,  and 
went  immediately  into  the  thea- 
tre; and  all  the  people  went 
forth  to  see  the  dismal  sight. 

11  But  Thecla,  justfas  a  lamb 
in  the  wilderness  looks  every 
way  to  see  his  shepherd,  looked 
around  for  Paul ; ; 

12  And  as  she  was  looking 
upon  the  multitude,  she  saw  the 

104 


Lord  Jesus  in  the  likeness  of 
Paul,  and  said  to  herself,  Paul 
is  come  to  see  me  in  my  distressed 
circumstances.  And  she  fixed 
her  eyes  upon  him ;  but  he  in- 
stantly ascended  up  to  heaven, 
while  she  looked  on  him. 

13  Then  the  young  men  and 
women  brought  wood  and  straw 
for  the  burning  of  Thecla ;  who, 
being  brought  naked  to  the 
stake,  extorted  tears  from  the 
governor,  with  surprise  behold- 
ing the  greatness  of  her  beauty. 

14  And  when  they  had  placed 
the  wood  in  order,  the  people 
commanded  her  to  go  upon  it ; 
which  she  did,  first  making  the 
sign  of  the  cross. 

15  Then  the  people  set  fire  to 
the  pile ;  though  the  flame  was 
exceeding  large,  it  did  not  touch 
her,  for  God  took  compassion 
on  her,  and  caused  a  great  erup- 
tion from  the  earth  beneath,  and 
a  cloud  from  above  to  pour  down 
great  quantities  of  rain  and  hail ; 

16  Insomuch  that  by  the  rup- 
ture of  the  earth,  very  many 
were  in  great  danger,  and  some 
were  killed,  the  fire  was  extin- 
guished, and  Thecla  preserved. 

CHAP.  VI. 

1  Paul  with  Onesiphorus  in  a  cave.  7 
Thecla  discovers  Paul;  12  proffers  to 
follow  him :  13  he  exhorts  her  not  for 
fear  of  fornication. 

IN  the  mean  time  Paul,  toge- 
ther with  Onesiphorus,  his 
wife  and  children,  was  keeping 
a  fast  in  a  certain  cave,  which 
was  in  the  road  from  Iconium  to 
Daphne. 

2  And  when  they  had  fasted 
for  several  days,  the  children 
said  to  Paul,  Father,  we  are 
hungry,  and  have  not  where- 
withal to  buy  bread  ;  for  Onesi- 
phorus had  left  all  his  substance 
to  follow  Paul  with  his  family. 


KEY  TO  THE  PLATE  "HELL." 


1.  Entrance  to  the  confines  of  Hell. 

2.  Charon  in  his  bark. 

3.  The  Minotaur  roaring  at  the  approach  of  condemned  souls. 

4.  Souls  agitated  by  the  impure  breath  of  evil  spirits. 

5.  Cerberus  devouring  the  souls  of  gourmands. 

6.  The  avaricious  and  prodigal  condemned  to  carry  burdens. 

7.  The  envious  and  angry  cast  into  the  Styx. 

8.  Tower  and  wall  of  the  evil  city. 

9.  In  this  ditch  are  those  who  have  sinned  against  their  neighbors;   Centaurs 

shoot  arrows  at  them. 

10.  Those  who  have  sinned  against  themselves  are  here  tormented  by  Harpies. 

11.  Rain  of  fire  for  those  who  have  sinned  against  God. 

12.  Soul  of  the  tyrant  Gerion  cast  into  the  flames. 

13.  Debauchees  and  corrupters  of  youth  flogged  by  devils. 

14.  Poisonous  gulf  into  which  flatterers  are  plunged. 

15.  Lake  of  fire  in  the  caldrons  into  which  Simonaics  are  cast. 

16.  Sorcerers  and  diviners,  their  faces  turned  backward. 

17.  Bog  of  boiling  pitch  for  cheats,  thieves,  and  deceivers. 

18.  Hypocrite  crucified. 

19.  Perfidious  advisers  plunged  into  a  flaming  ditch. 

20.  For  scandalous  persons :  one  holds  his  head  in  his  hand. 

21.  Robbers  and  other  criminals  tormented  by  a  centaur  armed  with  serpents. 

22.  Alchemists  and  quacks  a  prey  to  leprosy. 

23.  Well  of  ice,  for  traitors  and  the  ungrateful. 

24.  Pluto  in  the  midst  of  a  glacier  devouring  the  damned. 

25.  The  holy  city  of  Jerusalem.    • 


HELL.  rPage  8.1. 

PAINTZD    IN   FRESCO   EY   ANDREA    ORCAGNA    IN  THE    CHURCH    OF   ST.   MARIA    NOVEIXO    AT    FLORENCE. 


Thecla  visit*  Paid,    PAUL  AND  THECL A.and resists  Alexander. 


3  Then  Paul,  taking  off  his 
coat,  said  to  the  boy,  Go,  child, 
and  buy  bread,  and  bring  it 
hither. 

4  But  while  the  boy  was  buy- 
ing the  bread,  he  saw  his  neigh- 
bour Thecla  and  was  surprised, 
and  said  to  her,  Thecla,  where 
are  you  going  ? 

5  She  replied,  I  am  in  pur- 
suit of  Paul,  having  been  deli- 
vered from  the  flames. 

6  The  boy  then  said,  I  will 
bring  you  to  him,  for  he  is  under 
great  concern  on  your  account, 
and  has  been  in  prayer  and 
fasting  these  six  days. 

7  ^[  When  Thecla  came  to  the 
cave,  she  found  Paul  upon  his 
knees  praying  and  saying,  0 
holy  Father,  O  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  grant  that  the  fire  may 
not  touch  Thecla;  but  be  her 
helper,  for  she  is  thy  servant. 

8  Thecla  then  standing  behind 
him,  cried  out  in  the  following 
words :  O  sovereign  Lord,Creator 
of  heaven  and  earth,  the  Father 
of  thy  beloved  and  holy  Son,  I 
praise  thee  that  thou  hast  pre- 
served me  from  the  fire,  to  see 
Paul  again. 

9  Paul  then  arose,  and  when 
he  saw  her,  said,  O  God,  who 
searchest  the  heart,  Father  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  praise 
thee  that  thou  hast  answered  my 
prayer. 

10  T  And  there  prevailed 
among  them  in  the  cave  an  en- 
tire affection  to  each  other; 
Paul,  Onesiphorus,  and  all  that 
were  with  them  being  filled  with 

joy- 

11  They  had  five  loaves,  some 
herbs  and  water,  and  they  so- 
laced each  other  in  reflections 
upon  the  holy  works  of  Christ. 

12  Then  said  Thecla  to  Paul, 
If  you  be  pleased  with  it,  I  will 
follow  you  whithersoever  you  go. 


13  He  replied  to  her,  Persons 
are  now  much  given  to  fornica- 
tion, and  you  being  handsome,  I 
am  afraid  lest  you  should  meet 
with  greater  temptation  than 
the  former,  and  should  not  with- 
stand, but  be  overcome  by  it^ 

14  Thecla  replied,  Grant  me 
only  the  seal  of  Christ,  and  no 
temptation  shall  affect  me. 

15  Paul  answered,  Thecla, 
wait  with  patience,  and  you 
shall  receive  the  gift  of  Christ. 

CHAP.  VII. 

1  Paul  and  Thecla  go  to  Antioch.  2 
Alexander,  a  magistrate,  falls  in  love 
with  Thecla :  4  kisses  her  by  force :  5 
she  resists  him:  6  is  carried  before 
the  governor,  and  condemned  to  be 
thrown  to  wild  beasts. 

THEN  Paul  sent  back  Onesi- 
phorus and  his  family  to 
their  own  home,  and  taking 
Thecla  along  with  him,  went  for 
Antioch  ; 

2  And  as  soon  as  they  came 
into  the  city,  a  certain  Syrian, 
named  Alexander,  a  magistrate, 
in  the  city,  who  had  done  many 
considerable  services  for  the 
city  during  his  magistracy,  saw 
Thecla  and  fell  in  love  with  her, 
and  endeavoured  by  many  rich 
presents  to  engage  Paul  in  his 
interest. 

3  But  Paul  told  him,  I  know 
not  the  woman  of  whom  you 
speak,  nor  does  she  belong  to  me. 

4  But  he  being  a  person  of 
great  power  in  Antioch,  seized 
her  in  the  street  and  kissed  her ; 
which  Thecla  would  not  bear, 
but  looking  about  for  Paul,  cried 
out  in  a  distressed  loud  tone, 
Force  me  not,  who  am  a  stran- 
ger ;  force  me  not,  who  am  a 
servant  of  God ;  I  am  one  of  the 
principal  persons  of  Iconium, 
and  was  obliged  to  leave  that 
city  because  I  would  not  be 
married  to  Thamyris. 

105 


and  is  thrown 


PAUL  AND  THECLA. 


to  wild  beasts. 


5  Then  she  laid  hold  on  Alex- 1 
ander,  tore  his  coat,  and  took  ] 
his  crown  off  his  head,  and  made 
him  appear  ridiculous  before  all 
the  people. 

6  But  Alexander,  partly  as 
he  loved  her,  and  partly  being 
ashamed  of  what  had  been  doue, 
led  her  to  the  governor,  and 
upon  her  confession  of  what  she 
had  done,1  he  condemned  her  to 
be  thrown  among  the  beasts. 

CHAP.  VIII. 

2  Thecla  entertained  by  Trifina;  3 
brought  out  to  the  wild  beasts  ;  a  she- 
lion  licks  her  feet.  5  Trifina  upon  a 
vision  of  her  deceased  daughter,  adopts 
Thecla,  11  who  is  taken  to  the  amphi- 
theatre again. 

WHICH  when  the  people 
saw,  they  said :  The  judg- 
ments passed  in  this  city  are 
unjust.  But  Thecla  desired  the 
favour  of  the  governor,  that  her 
chastity  might  not  be  attacked, 
but  preserved  till  she  should  be 
cast  to  the  beasts. 

2  The  governor  then  inquired, 
Who  would  entertain  her ;  upon 
which  a  certain  very  rich  widow, 
named  Trifina,  whose  daughter 
was  lately  dead,  desired  that  she 
might  have  the  keeping  of  her ; 
and  she  began  to  treat  her  in 
her  house  as  her  own  daughter. 

3  At  length  a  day  came, 
when  the  beasts  were  to  be 
brought  forth  to  be  seen;  and 
Thecla  was  brought  to  the  am- 
phitheatre, and  put  into  a  den 
in  which  was  an  exceeding  fierce 
she-lion,  in  the  presence  of  a 
multitude  of  spectators. 

4  Trifina,  without  any  sur- 
prise, accompanied  Thecla,  and 


the  she-lion  licked  the  feet  oi 
Thecla.  The  title  written  which 
denotes  her  crime,  was,  Sacri- 
lege. Then  the  woman  cried 
out,  O  God,  the  judgments  of 
this  city  are  unrighteous. 

5  After  the  beasts  had  been 
shewn,  Trifina  took  Thecla  home 
with  her,  and  they  went  to  bed  ; 
and  behold,  the  daughter  of  Tri- 
fina, who  was  dead,  appeared  to 
her  mother,  and  said;  Mother, 
let  the  young  woman,  Thecla, 
be  reputed  by  you  as  your  daugh- 
ter in  my  stead ;  and  desire  her 
that  she  should  pray  for  me, 
that  I  may  be  translated  to  a 
state  of  happiness. 

6  Upon  which  Trifina,  with  a 
mournful  air,  said,  My  daughter 
Falconilla  has  appeared  to  me, 
and  ordered  me  to  receive  you 
in  her  room ;  wherefore  I  desire, 
Thecla,  that  you  would  pray  for 
my  daughter,  that  she  may  be 
translated  into  a  state  of  happi- 
ness, and  to  life  eternal. 

7  When  Thecla  heard  this,  she 
immediately  prayed  to  the  Lord, 
and  said :  O  Lord  God  of  heaven 
and  earth,  Jesus  Christ,  thou 
Son  of  the  Most  High,  grant 
that  her  daughter  Falconilla 
may  live  forever.  Trifina  hear- 
ing this  groaned  again,  and  said: 
0  unrighteous  judgments !  O 
unreasonable  wickedness !  that 
such  a  creature  should  (again) 
be  cast  to  the  beasts ! 

8  T  On  the  morrow,  at  break 
of  day,  Alexander  came  to  Tri- 
fina's  house,  and  said :  The 
governor  and  the  people  are 
waiting ;  bring  the  criminal 
forth. 

9  But  Trifina  ran  in  so  violent- 


1  There  being  something  wanting  here  in  the  old  Greek  MS.,  it  is  supplied 
out  of  the  old  Latin  version,  which  is  in  the  Bodleian  Library,  Cod.  Digb.  39, 
rather  than  out  of  Simeon  Metaphrastes,  a  writer  of  the  eleventh  century. 

106 


The  beasts  refusing   PAUL  AND  THECLA.       to  destroy  Thecla. 


ly  upon  him,  that  he  was  affright- 
ed, and  ran  away.  Trifina  was  one 
of  the  royal  family ;  and  she  thus 
expressed  her  sorrow,  and  said  ; 
Alas !  I  have  trouble  in  my  house 
on  two  accounts,  and  there  is  no 
one  who  will  relieve  me,  either 
under  the  loss  of  my  daughter,  or 
my  being  unable  to  save  Thecla. 
But  now,  O  Lord  God,  be  thou 
the  helper  of  Thecla  thy  servant. 

10  While  she  was  thus  engag- 
ed, the  governor  sent  one  of  his 
own  officers  to  bring  Thecla. 
Trifina  took  her  by  the  hand, 
and,  going  with  her,  said :  I  went 
with  Falconilla  to  her  grave,  and 
now  must  go  with  Thecla  to  the 
beasts. 

11  When  Thecla  heard  this, 
she  weeping  prayed,  and  said :  O 
Lord  God,  whom  I  have  made  my 
confidence  and  refuge,  reward 
Trifina  for  her  compassion  to  me, 
and  preserving  my  chastity. 

12  Upon  this  there  was  a  great 
noise  in  the  amphitheatre;  the 
beasts  roared,  and  the  people 
cried  out,  Bring  in  the  criminal. 

13  But  the  woman  cried  out, 
and  said :  Let  the  whole  city  suf- 
fer for  such  crimes ;  and  order  all 
of  us,  0  governor,  to  the  same 
punishment.  O  unjust  judgment! 

0  cruel  sight ! 

14  Others  said,  Let  the  whole 
city  be  destroyed  for  this  vile  ac- 
tion. Kill  us  all,  O  governor.  O 
cruel  sight !  O  unrighteous  judg- 
ment. 

CHAP.  IX. 

1  Thecla  thrown  naked  to  the  wild  beasts  ; 
2  they  all  refuse  to  attack  her;  8 
throws  herself  into  a  pit  of  water.  10 
other  wild  beasts  refuse  her.  11  Tied 
to  wild  bulls.  13  Miraculously  saved. 
21  Released.  24  Entertained  by  Tri. 
fina. 

THEN  Thecla  was  taken  out 
of  the  hand  of  Trifina,  strip- 
ped naked,  had  a  girdle  put  on, 


and  thrown  into  the  place  ap- 
pointed for  fighting  with  the 
beasts:  and  the  lions  and  the 
bears  were  let  loose  upon  her. 

2  But  a  she-lion,  which  was  of 
all  the  most  fierce,  ran  to  Thecla, 
and  fell  down  at  her  feet.  Upon 
which  the  multitude  of  women 
shouted  aloud. 

3  Then  a  she-bear  ran  fiercely 
towards  her ;  but  the  she-lion  met 
the  bear,  and  tore  it  to  pieces. 

4  Again,  a  he-lion,  who  had 
been  wont  to  devour  men,  and 
which  belonged  to  Alexander, 
ran  towards  her;  but  the  she- 
lion  encountered  the  he-lion,  and 
they  killed  each  other. 

5  Then  the  women  were  under 
a  greater  concern,  because  the 
she-lion,  which  had  helped  The- 
cla, was  dead. 

6  Afterwards  they  brought  out 
many  other  wild  beasts ;  but 
Thecla  stood  with  her  hands 
stretched  towards  heaven,  and 
prayed ;  and  when  she  had  done 
praying,  she  turned  about,  and 
saw  a  pit  of  water,  and  said,  Now 
it  is  a  proper  time  for  me  to  be 
baptized. 

7  Accordingly  she  threw  her- 
self into  the  water,  and  said,  In 
thy  name,  0  my  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  I  am  this  last  day  baptiz- 
ed. The  women  and  the  people 
seeing  this,  cried  out,  and  said, 
Do  not  throw  yourself  into  the 
water.  And  the  governor  him- 
self cried  out,  to  think  that  the 
fish  (sea-calves)  were  like  to  de- 
vour so  much  beauty. 

8  Tf  Notwithstanding  all  this, 
Thecla  threw  herself  into  the 
water,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

9  But  the  fish  (sea-calves,) 
when  they  saw  the  lighting  and 
fire,  were  killed,  and  swam  dead 
upon  the  surface  of  the  water, 
and  a  cloud  of  fire  surrounded 

107 


She  is  saved 


PAUL  AND  THECLA. 


and  released. 


Thecla,  so  that  as  the  beasts  could 
not  come  near  her,  so  the  people 
could  not  see  her  nakedness. 

10  Yet  they  turned  other  wild 
beasts  upon  her ;  upon  which 
they  made  a  very  mournful  out- 
cry ;  and  some  of  them  scattered 
spikenard,  others  cassia,  others 
amomus  (a  sort  of  spikenard,  or 
the  herb  of  Jerusalem,  or  ladies- 
rose)  others  ointment ;  so  that 
the  quantity  of  ointment  was 
large,  in  proportion  to  the  num- 
ber of  people ;  and  upon  this  all 
the  beasts  lay  as  though  they 
had  been  fast  asleep,  and  did  not 
touch  Thecla. 

11  Whereupon  Alexander  said 
to  the  Governor,  I  have  some 
very  terrible  bulls ;  let  us  bind 
her  to  them.  To  which  the  gover- 
nor, with  concern,  replied,  You 
may  do  what  you  think  fit. 

12  Then  they  put  a  cord  round 
Thecla's  waist,  which  bound  also 
her  feet,  and  with  it  tied  her  to 
the  bulls,  to  whose  privy-parts 
they  applied  red-hot  irons,  that 
go  they  being  the  more  torment- 
ed, might  more  violently  drag 
Thecla"  about,  till  they  had  kill- 
ed her. 

13  The  bulls  accordingly  tore 
about,  making  a  most  hideous 
noise ;  but  the  flame  which  was 
about  Thecla,  burnt  off  the  cords 
which  were  fastened  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  bulls,  and  she  stood 
in  the  middle  of  the  stage,  as  un- 
concerned as  if  she  had  not  been 
bound. 

14  But  in  the  mean  time  Tri- 
fina,  who  sat  upon  one  of  the 
benches,  fainted  away  and  died  ; 
upon  which  the  whole  city  was 
under  a  very  great  concern. 

15  And  Alexander  himself  was 
afraid,  and  desired  the  governor, 
saying :  I  entreat  you,  take  com- 
passion on  me  and  the  city,  and 
release    this    woman,   who   has 

108 


fought  with  the  beasts  ;  lest,  both 
you  and  I,  and  the  whole  city 
be  destroyed : 

16  For  if  Csesar  should  have 
any  account  of  what  has  passed 
now,  he  will  certainly  immediate- 
ly destroy  the  city,  because  Tri- 
fina,  a  person  of  royal  extract, 
and  a  relation  of  his,  is  dead  upon 
her  seat. 

17  Upon  this  the  governor 
called  Thecla  from  among  the 
beasts  to  him,  and  said  to  her, 
Who  art  thou  ?  and  what  are  thy 
circumstances,  that  not  one  of 
the  beasts  will  touch  thee  ? 

18  Thecla  replied  to  him ;  I 
am  a  servant  of  the  living  God  ; 
and  as  to  my  state,  I  am  a  be- 
liever on  Jesus  Christ  his  Son, 
in  whom  God  is  well  pleased; 
and  for  that  reason  none  of  the 
beasts  could  touch  me. 

19  He  alone  is  the  way  to  eter- 
nal salvation,  and  the  foundation 
of  eternal  life.  He  is  a  refuge  to 
those  who  are  in  distress ;  a  sup- 
port to  the  afflicted,  hope  and  de- 
fence to  those  who  are  hopeless ; 
and,  in  a  word,  all  those  who  do 
not  believe  on  him,  shall  not  live, 
but  suffer  eternal  death. 

20  TI  When  the  governor  heard 
these  things,  he  ordered  her 
clothes  to  be  brought,  and  said 
to  her  put  on  your  clothes. 

21  Thecla  replied :  May  that 
God  who  clothed  me  when  I  was 
naked  among  the  beasts,  in  the 
day  of  judgment  clothe  your 
soul  with  the  robe  of  salvation. 
Then  she  took  her  clothes,  and 
put  them  on  ;  and  the  governor 

j  immediately  published  an  order 
in  these  words  ;  I  release  to  you 
Thecla  the  servant  of  God. 

22  Upon  which  the  women 
cried  out  together  with  a  loud 
voice,  and  with  one  accord  gave 
praise  unto  God,  and  said ;  There 
is  but  one  God,  who  is  the  God 


Thecla  visits  Paul     PAUL  AND  THECLA.        and  her  mother. 


of  Thecla;    the   one   God   who 
hath  delivered  Thecla. 

23  So  loud  were  their  voices 
that  the  whole  city  seemed  to  be 
shaken ;  and  Trifina  herself 
heard  the  glad  tidings,  and 
arose  again,  and  ran  with  the 
multitude  to  meet  Thecla ;  and 
embracing  her,  said :  Now  I  be- 
lieve there  shall  be  a  resurrec- 
tion of  the  dead;  now  I  am 
persuaded  that  my  daughter  is 
alive.  Come  therefore  home  with 
me,  my  daughter  Thecla,  and  I 
will  make  over  all  that  I  have 
to  you. 

24  So  Thecla  went  with  Tri- 
fina, and  was  entertained  there 
a  few  days,  teaching  her  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  whereby  many 
young  women  were  converted ; 
and  there  was  great  joy  in  the 
family  of  Trifina. 

25  But  Thecla  longed  to  see 
Paul,  and  inquired  and  sent 
everywhere  to  find  him;  and 
when  at  length  she  was  informed 
that  he  was  at  Myra,  in  Lycia, 
she  took  with  her  many  young 
men  and  women ;  and  putting 
on  a  girdle,  and  dressing  herself 
in  the  habit  of  a  man,  she  went 
to  him  to  Myra  in  Lycia,  and 
there  found  Paul  preaching  the 
word  of  God  ;  and  she  stood  by 
him  among  the  throng. 

CHAP.  X. 

1  Thecla  visits  Paul.  6  Visits  Onesi- 
phorus.  8  Visits  her  mother.  9  Who 
repulses  her.  12  Is  tempted  by  the 
devil.      Works  miracles. 

BUT  it  was  no  small  surprise 
to  Paul  when  he  saw  her 
and  the  people  with  her  ;  for  he 
imagined  some  fresh  trial  was 
coming  upon  them  ; 

2  Which  when  Thecla  per- 
ceived, she  said  to  him :  I  have 
been  baptized,  O  Paul ;  for  he 
who  assists  you  in  preaching, 
has  assisted  me  to  baptize. 


3  Then  Paul  took  her,  and 
led  her  to  the  house  of  Hermes  ; 
and  Thecla  related  to  Paul  all 
that  had  befallen  her  in  Antioch, 
insomuch  that  Paul  exceedingly 
wondered,  and  all  who  heard 
were  confirmed  in  the  faith,  and 
prayed  for  Trifina's  happiness. 

4  Then  Thecla  arose,  and  said 
to  Paul,  I  am  going  to  Iconium. 
Paul  replied  to  her:  Go,  and 
teach  the  word  of  the  Lord. 

5  But  Trifina  had  sent  large 
sums  of  money  to  Paul,  and  also 
clothing  by  the  hands  of  Thecla, 
for  the  relief  of  the  poor. 

6  ^[  So  Thecla  went  to  Ico- 
nium. And  when  she  came  to 
the  house  of  Onesiphorus,  she 
fell  down  upon  the  floor  where 
Paul  had  sat  and  preached,  and, 
mixing  tears  with  her  prayers, 
she  praised  and  glorified  God  in 
the  following  words : 

7  O  Lord  the  God  of  this 
house,  in  which  I  was  first  en- 
lightened by  thee ;  O  Jesus,  son 
of  the  living  God,  who  wast  my 
helper  before  the  governor,  my 
helper  in  the  fire,  and  my  helper 
among  the  beasts;  thou  alone 
art  God  forever  and  ever.  Amen. 

8  ^[  Thecla  now  (on  her  re- 
turn) found  Thamyris  dead,  but 
her  mother  living.  So  calling 
her  mother,  she  said  to  her : 
Theoclia,  my  mother,  is  it  possi- 
ble for  you  to  be  brought  to  a 
belief,  that  there  is  but  one  Lord 
God,  who  dwells  in  the  heavens  ? 
If  you  desire  great  riches,  God 
will  give  them  to  you  by  me ;  if 
you  want  your  daughter  again, 
here  I  am. 

9  These  and  many  other  things 
she  represented  to  her  mother, 
(endeavouring)  to  persuade  her 
(to  her  own  opinion).  But  her 
mother  Theoclia  gave  no  credit 
to  the  things  which  were  said  by 
the  martyr  Thecla. 

109 


Works  miracles.         PAUL  AND  THECLA.     Escapes  defilement. 


10  So  that  Thecla  perceiving 
Bhe  discoursed  to  no  purpose, 
signing  her  whole  body  with  the 
sign  (of  the  cross),  left  the  house 
and  went  to  Daphine ;  and  when 
she  came  there,  she  went  to  the 
cave,  where  she  had  found  Paul 
with  Onesiphorus,  and  fell  down 
on  the  ground ;  and  wept  be- 
fore God. 

11  When  she  departed  thence, 
she  went  to  Seleucia,  and  en- 
lightened many  in  the  knowledge 
of  Christ. 

12  If  And  a  bright  cloud  con- 
ducted her  in  her  journey. 

13  And  after  she  had  arrived 
at  Seleucia  she  went  to  a  place 
out  of  the  city,  about  the  dis- 
tance of  a  furlong,  being  afraid 
of  the  inhabitants,  because  they 
were  worshippers  of  idols. 

*  14  And  she  was  led  (by  the 
eloud)  into  a  mountain  called 
Calamon,  or  Rodeon.  There  she 
abode  many  years,  and  under- 
went a  great  many  grievous 
temptations  of  the  devil,  which 
she  bore  in  a  becoming  manner, 
by  the  assistance  which  she  had 
from  Christy 

15  At  length  certain  gentle- 
women hearing  of  the  virgin 
Thecla,  went  to  her,  and  were 
instructed  by  her  in  the  oracles 
of  God,  and  many  of  them  aban- 
doned this  world,  and  led  a  mo- 
nastic life  with  her. 

16  Hereby  a  good  report  was 
spread  everywhere  of  Thecla, 
and  she  wrought  several  (mira- 
culous) cures,  so  that  all  the  city 
and  adjacent  countries  brought 
their  sick  to  that  mountain,  and 
before  they  came  as  far  as  the 
door  of  the  cave,  they  were  in- 
stantly cured  of  whatsoever  dis- 
temper they  had. 

17  The  unclean  spirits  were 
cast  out,  making  a  noise ;  all 
received  their  sick  made  whole, 

110 


and  glorified  God,  who  had  be- 
stowed such  power  on  the  virgin 
Thecla ; 

18  Insomuch  that  the  physi- 
cians of  Seleucia  were  now  of 
no  more  account,  and  lost  all 
the  profit  of  their  trade,  because 
no  _  one  regarded  them  ;  upon 
which  they  were  filled  with  envy, 
and  began  to  contrive  what 
methods  to  take  with  this  ser- 
vant of  Christ. 

CHAP.  XL 

1  Is  attempted  to  be  ravished,  1 2  escapes 
by   a   rock   opening,  17    and  closing 


THE  devil  then  suggested  bad 
advice  to  their  minds ;  and 
being  on  a  certain  day  met  to- 
gether to  consult,  they  reasoned 
among  each  other  thus:  The 
virgin  is  a  priestess  of  the  great 
goddess  Diana,  and  whatsoever 
she  requests  from  her,  is  granted, 
because  she  is  a  virgin,  and  so  is 
beloved  by  all  the  gods. 

2  Now  then  let  us  procure 
some  rakish  fellows,  and  after 
we  have  made  them  sufficiently 
drunk,  and  given  them  a  good 
sum  of  money,  let  us  order  them 
to  go  and  debauch  this  virgin, 
promising  them,  if  they  do  it,  a 
larger  reward. 

3  (For  they  thus  concluded 
among  themselves,  that  if  they 
be  able  to  debauch  her,  the  gods 
will  no  more  regard  her,  nor 
Diana  cure  the  sick  for  her.) 

4  They  proceeded  according 
to  this  resolution,  and  the  fellows 
went  to  the  mountain,  and  as 
fierce  as  lions  to  the  cave, 
knocking  at  the  door. 

5  The  holy  martyr  Thecla, 
relying  upon  the  God  in  whom 
she  believed,  opened  the  door, 
although  she  was  before  apprized 
of  their  design,  and  said  to  them, 


PAUL  AND  THECLA. 


Young  men,  what  is  your  busi- 
ness ? 

6  They  replied,  Is  there  any 
one  within,  whose  name  is  The- 
cla?  She  answered,  What  would 
you  have  with  her  ?  They  said, 
We  have  a  mind  to  lie  with  her. 

7  The  blessed  Thecla  an- 
swered: Though  I  am  a  mean 
old  woman,  I  am  the  servant  of 
my  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and 
though  you  have  a  vile  design 
against  me,  ye  shall  not  be  able 
to  accomplish  it.  They  replied  : 
It  is  impossible  but  we  must  be 
able  to  do  with  you  what  we 
have  a  mind. 

8  And  while  they  were  saying 
this,  they  laid  hold  on  her  by 
main  force,  and  would  have 
ravished  her.  Then  she  with  the 
(greatest)  mildness  said  to  them: 
Young  men  have  patience,  and 
see  the  glory  of  the  Lord. 

9  And  while  they  held  her, 
she  looked  up  to  heaven  and 
said ;  O  God  most  reverend,  to 
whom  none  can  be  likened  ;  who 
makest  thyself  glorious  over 
thine  enemies ;  who  didst  deliver 
me  from  the  fire,  and  didst  not 
give  me  up  to  Thamyris,  didst 
not  give  me  up  to  Alexander ; 
who  deliveredst  me  from  the 
wild  beasts  ;  who  didst  preserve 
me  in  the  deep  waters  ;  who  hast 
everywhere  been  my  helper, 
and  hast  glorified  thy  name  in 
me; 

10  Now  also  deliver  me  from 
the  hands  of  these  wicked  and 
unreasonable  men,  nor  suffer 
them  to  debauch  my  chastity 
which  I  have  hitherto  preserved 
for  thy  honour  ;  for  I  love  thee 
and  long  for  thee,  and  worship 
thee,  0  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost,  for  evermore.     Amen. 

11  Then  came   a  voice  from 


heaven,  saying,  Fear  not,  The- 
cla, my  faithful  servant,  for  I 
am  with  thee.  Look  and  see  the 
place  which  is  opened  for  thee : 
there  thy  eternal  abode  shall  be ; 
there  thou  shalt  receive  the 
beatific  vision. 

12  The  blessed  Thecla  observ- 
ing, saw  the  rock  opened  to  as 
large  a  degree  as  that  a  man 
might  enter  in;  she  did  as  she 
was  commanded,  bravely  fled 
from  the  vile  crew,  and  went 
into  the  rock,  which  instantly  so 
closed,  that  there  was  not  any 
crack  visible  where  it  had  open- 
ed. 

13  The  men  stood  perfectly 
astonished  at  so  prodigious  a 
miracle,  and  had  no  power  to 
detain  the  servant  of  God ;  but 
only,  catching  hold  of  her  veil, 
or  hood,  they  tore  off  a  piece  of 
it; 

14  And  even  that  was  by  the 
permission  of  God,  for  the  con- 
firmation of  their  faith  who 
should  come  to  see  this  venerable 
place,  and  to  convey  blessings  to 
those  in  succeeding  ages,  who 
should  believe  on  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  from  a  pure  heart. 

15  Thus  suffered  that  first 
martyr  and  apostle  of  God,  and 
virgin,  Thecla  ;  who  came  from 
Iconium  at  eighteen  years  of  age; 
afterwards,  partly  in  journeys 
and  travels,  and  partly  in  a  mo- 
nastic life  in  the  cave,  she  lived 
seventy-two  years ;  so  that  she 
was  ninety  years  old  when  the 
Lord  translated  her. 

16  Thus  ends  her  life. 

17  The  day  which  is  kept 
sacred  to  her  memory,  is  the 
twenty-fourth  of  September,  to 
the  glory  of  the  Father,  and  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  now 
and  for  evermore.     Amen. 


Ill 


The  FIRST  EPISTLE  of  CLEMENT  to  the  CORINTHIANS. 

Clement  was  a  disciple  of  Peter,  and  afterwards  Bishop  of  Rome.  Clemens 
Alexandrinus  calls  him  an  apostle.  Jerome  says  he  was  an  apostolical 
man,  and  Rufinus  that  he  was  almost  an  apostle.  Eusebius  calls  this 
the  wonderful  Epistle  of  St.  Clement,  and  says  that  it  was  publicly  read 
in  the  assemblies  of  the  primitive  church.  It  is  included  in  one  of  the 
ancient  collections  of  the  Canon  Scripture.  Its  genuineness  has  been 
much  questioned,  particularly  by  Pholius,  patriarch  of  Constantinople, 
in  the  ninth  century,' who  objects  that  Clement  speaks  of  worlds  beyond 
the  ocean  ;  that  he  has  not  written  worthily  of  the  divinity  of  Christ ; 
and  that  to  prove  the  possibility  of  a  future  resurrection,  he  introduces 
the  fabulous  story  of  the  phoenix's  revival  from  its  own  ashes.  To  the 
latter  objection,  Archbishop  Wake  replies  that  the  generality  of  the 
ancient  Fathers  have  made  use  of  the  same  instance  in  proof  of  the  same 
point ;  and  asks  if  St.  Clement  really  believed  that  there  was  such  a  bird, 
and  that  it  did  revive  out  of  the  cinders  of  the  body  after  burning,  where 
was  the  great  harm  either  in  giving  credit  to  such  a  wonder,  or,  believing 
it,  to  make  such  a  use  as  he  here  does  of  it?— The  present  is  the  Arch- 
bishop's translation  from  the  ancient  Greek  copy  of  the  Epistle,  which 
is  at  the  end  of  the  celebrated  Alexandrine  MS.  of  the  Septuagint  and 
New  Testament,  presented  by  Cyril,  patriarch  of  Alexandria,  to  King 
Charles  the  First,  now  in  the  British  Museum.  |  The  Archbishop,  in 
prefacing  his  translation,  esteems  it  a  great  blessing  that  this  ''Epistle" 
was  at  last  so  happily  found  out  for  the  increase  and  confirmation  both 
of  our  faith  and  our  charity. 


CHAP.  I. 

He  commends  them  for  their  excellent 
order  and  -piety  in  Christ,  before  their 
schism  broke  out. 

THE  Church  of  God  which  *is 
at  Rome,  to  the  Church  of 
God  which  is  at  Corinth,  2 elect, 
sanctified  3by  the  will  of  God, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord : 
grace  and  peace  from  the  Al- 
mighty God,  by  Jesus  Christ  be 
multiplied  unto  you.4 

2  T[  Brethren,  the  5  sudden 
and  unexpected  dangers  and 
calamities  that  have  fallen  upon 
us,  have,  we  fear,  made  us  the 
more  slow  in  our  consideration 
of  those  things  which  you  inquir- 
ed of  us : 


3  6As  also  of  that  wicked  and 
detestable  sedition,  so  '  unbecom- 
ing the  elect  of  God,  which  a 
few  heady  and  self-willed  men 
have  fomented  to  such  a  degree 
of  madness,  that  your  venerable 
and  renowned  name,  so  worthy 
of  all  men  to  be  beloved,  is 
greatly  blasphemed  thereby. 

4  For  who  that  has  8ever  been 
among  you  has  not  experimented 
the  firmness  of  your  faith,  9and 
its  fruitfulness  in  all  good  works ; 
and  admired  the  temper  and 
moderation  of  your  religion  in 
Christ;  and  published  abroad  the 
magnificence  of  your  hospitality ; 
and  thought  you  happy  in  your 
perfect  and  certain  knowledge 
of  the  Gospel  ? 


^ojourneth.     2  Called.    See  Hammond  on  Matt.  xx.     3Gr.  in.     4SeeBp. 
Pearson's  note  on  this  place.      Ed.  Colomesii.  p.  2.      5  Ibid.      6And.     7  Gr. 
Strange  to.    8  Gr.  Lodged  as  a  stranger.    9  Adorned  with  all  manner  of  virtues. 
112 


CHRIST'S   ENTRY   INTO  JERUSALEM,  AND  CHRIST   BEFORE   PILATE.  [Pace  67. 

FROM    INTAGLIOS   IN   A    BOX    OF    ROCK    CRYSTAL,    BY   A    EARLY   VENETIAN   ARTIST. 


How  the  divisions 


I.  CLEMENT. 


in  the  church  began. 


5  For  ye  did  all  things  with- 
out respect  of  persons  and  walk- 
ed According  to  the  laws  of 
God  ;  heing  subject  to  those  who 
had  the  rule  over  you,  and 
giving  the  honour  that  was  fit- 
ting to  the  2  aged  among  you. 

6  Ye  commanded  the  young 
men  to  think  those  things  that 
Avere  modest  and  grave. 

7  The  women  ye  exhorted  to 
do  all  things  with  an  unblameable 
and  seemly,  and  pure  conscience ; 
loving  their  own  husbands,  as 
was  fitting :  and  that  keeping 
themselves  within  the  3  bounds  of 
a  due  obedience,  they  should4 
order  their  houses  gravely,  with 
all 5  discretion. 

8 ,'t 6  Ye  were  all  of  you  humble 
minded,  not  7  boasting  of  any 
thing:  desiring  rather  to  be  sub- 
ject than  to  govern;  to  8give 
than  to  receive ;  being  9  content 
with  the  portion  God  hath  dis- 
pensed to  you ; 

9  And  hearkening  diligently 
to  his  word,  ye  10were  enlarged 
in  your  bowels,  having  his u 
suffering  always  before  your 
eyes. 

10  Thus  a  firm,  and  12  blessed 
and  profitable  peace  was  given 
unto  you ;  and  an  unsatiable 
desire  of  doing  good ;  and  a 
plentiful  effusion  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  was  upon  all  of  you. 

11  And  being  full  of13  good 
designs,  ye  did  with  u  great 
readiness  of  mind,  and  with  a 
religious  confidence  stretch  forth 
your  hands  to  God  Almighty ; 
beseeching  him  to  be   merciful 


unto  you,  if  in  any  thing  ye  had 
unwillingly  sinned  against  him. 

12  Ye  contended  day  and 
night  for  the  whole  brotherhood ; 
that  15  with  compassion  and  a 
good  conscience,  the  number  of 
his  elect  might  be  saved. 

13  Ye  were  sincere,  and  with- 
out offence  towards  each  other  ; 
not  mindful  of  injuries  ;  all  se- 
dition and  schism  was  an  abom- 
ination unto  you. 

14  Ye  bewailed  every  one  his 
neighbour's  sins,  esteeming  their 
defects  your  own. 

15  Ye 16  were  kind  one  to  ano- 
ther without  grudging ;  being 
ready  to  every  good  work.  And 
being  adorned  with  a  conversa- 
tion altogether  virtuous  and  reli- 
gious, ye  did  all  things  in  the 
fear  of  God ;  whose  "command- 
ments were  written  upon  the 
tables  of  your  heart. 

CHAP.  II. 

How  their  divisions  began. 

ALL  honour  and  enlargement 
was  given  unto  you  ;  and 
so  was  fulfilled  that  which  is 
written,  18my  beloved  did  eat  and 
drink,  he  was  enlarged  and 
waxed  fat,  and  he  kicked. 

2  From  hence  came  emula- 
tion, and  envy,  and  strife,  and 
sedition;  persecution  and  19 dis- 
order, war  and  captivity. 

3  So  they  who  were  of  no 
renown,  lifted  up  themselves 
against  the  honourable  ;  those  of 
no  reputation,  against  those  who 
were  in  respect;  the  foolish 
against  the  wise  ;  the  young  men 
against  the  aged. 


1  In.  2  Presbyters.  s  Canon,  rule.  4  Themselves  do  their  own  business. 
Vi  J.  Not.  Junii  in  loc.  5  Temperance,  sobriety.  6  1  Pet.  v.  5.  7  Proud. 
8 Acts,  xx.  35.  91  Tim.  vi.  8.  10 Embraced  it  in  vour  very  bowels. 
11  TraBijftara.  See  Dr.  Grabe's  Addit.  to  Bp.  Bull's  Def.  fid.  Nic  p.  60,  61. 
12 Gr.  linapa.  13 Holy  counsel,  or  purpose,  or  will.  uGr.  good.  lsWitH 
mercy  and  conscience.  16  Ye  were  without  repentance  in  all  well-doing. 
Titus  iii.  1.  17Prov.  vii.  3.  18  Deut.  xxxii.  15.  19  Confusion,  tumults,  &c 
8  113 


Envy  and  emulation  I.  CLEMENT.  the  original  of  strife. 

Cain  rose  up  against  Abel  his 
brother,  and  slew  him. 

5  Ye  see,  brethren,  how  envy 
and  emulation  wrought  6the 
death  of  a  brother.  For  6this 
our  father  7  Jacob  fled  from  the 
face  of  his  brother  Esau. 

6  It  was  this  that  caused 
8  Joseph  to  be  persecuted  even 
unto  death,  and  to  come  into 
bondage.  Envy  forced  9  Moses 
to  flee  from  the  face  of  Pharaoh 
king  of  Egypt,  when  he  heard 
his  own  countrymen  ask  him, 
10  Who  made  thee  a  Judge,  and  a 
ruler  over  us  ?  Wilt  thou  kill 
me  as  thou  didst  the  Egyptian 
yesterday  ? 

7  Through  envy  Aaron  and 
Miriam  were  u  shut  out  of  the 
camp,  from  the  rest  of  the  con- 
gregation seven  days. 

8  12  Emulation  13  sent  Dathan 
and  Abiram  quick  into  the 
"  grave  because  they  raised  up  a 
sedition  against  Moses  the  ser- 
vant of  God. 

9  For  this  David  15  was  not 
only  hated  of  strangers,  but  was 
persecuted  even  by  Saul  the 
king  of  Israel. 

10  But  16not  to  insist  upon 
antient  examples,  let  us  come 
to  those  17worthies  that  have  been 
nearest  to  us ;  and  take  the 
brave  examples  of  our  own  age. 

11  Through    zeal   and   envy, 

18  the  most  faithful  and  righteous 

19  pillars  of  the  church  have  been 
persecuted  even  to  the  most 
grievous  deaths. 

12  Let  us  set  before  our  eyes 
the  holy  Apostles ;  Peter  by  un- 
just envy  underwent  not  one  or 


4  Therefore  righteousness  and 
peace  are  departed  from  you, 
because  every  one  hath  forsaken 
the  fear  of  God  ;  and  is  grown 
blind  in  his  faith ;  nor  walketh 
by  the  rule  of  God's  command- 
ments nor  liveth  as  is  fitting  in 
Christ : 

5  But  every  one  1  follows  his 
own  wicked  lusts :  having  taken 
up  an  unjust  and  wicked  envy, 
by  which  death  first  entered  into 
the  world. 

CHAP.  III. 

Envy  and  emulation  the  original  of  all 
strife  and  disorder.  Examples  of  the 
mischiefs  they  have  occasioned. 

FOR  thus  it  is  written,  2  And 
in  process  of  time  it  came 
to  pass  that  Cain  brought  of  the 
fruit  of  the  ground  an  offering 
unto  the  Lord.  And  Abel,  he 
also  brought  of  the  firstlings  of 
his  flock,  and  of  the  fat  thereof: 

2  And  the  Lord  had  respect 
unto  Abel,  and  to  his  offering. 
But  unto  Cain  and  unto  his  of- 
fering he  had  not  respect.  And 
Cain  was  very  sorrowful,  and  his 
countenance  fell. 

3  And  the  Lord  said  unto 
Cain,  Why  art  thou  sorrowful  ? 
And  why  is  thy  countenance 
fallen?  3If  thou  shalt  offer 
aright,  but  not  divide  aright, 
hast  thou  not  sinned  ?  Hold  thy 
peace :  unto  thee  shall  be  his 
*  desire,  and  thou  shalt  rule  over 
him. 

4  And  Cain  said  unto  Abel 
his  brother,  Let  us  go  down  into 
the  field.  And  it  came  to  pass, 
as  they  were  in  the  field,  that 


1  Walketh  after.  *  Gen.  iv.  3,  &c  3  This  is  according  to  the  lxx. 
* ' AnooTpofa,  conversion.  5  Fratricide.  6Envy.  7Gen.  xxviii.  8Gen.  xxxvii. 
9Exodus  ii.  15.  10Exod.  ii.  14.  uMade  to  lodge  out.  B  Num.  xii.  14,  15. 
13  Brought.  u  Hades.  15  Had,  or  underwent  the  hatred,  not  only,  &c. 
36  To  cease  from.  "  Combatants,  wrestlers.  18  The  faithful  and  most  righteous. 
19  Good. 

114 


He  exhorts  them  to 


I.  CLEMENT. 


live  by  the  rules. 


two,  but  many  'sufferings;  Hill 
at  last  being  martyred,  he  went 
to  the  place  of  glory  that  was 
due  unto  him. 

13  3  For  the  same  cause  did 
Paul  in  like  manner  receive  the 
reward  of  his  patience.  r  Seven 
times  *  he  was  in  bonds  ;  he  was 
whipped,  was  stoned;  he  preached 
both  in  the  East  and  in  the 
West ;  5  leaving  behind  him  the 
glorious  report  of  his  faith  : 

14  And  so  having  taught  the 
whole  world  righteousness,  and 
for  that  end  travelled  even  to  the 
utmost  bounds  of  the  West ;  he 
at  last  suffered  martyrdom"*  by 
the  command  of  the  governors, 

15  And  departed  out  of  the 
world,  and  went  unto  his  holy 
place ;  being  become  a  most  emi- 
nent pattern  of  patience  unto 
all  ages. 

16  To  these  THoly  Apostles 
were  joined  a  very  great  number 
of  others,  who  having  through 
envy  undergone  in  like  manner 
many  pains  and  torments,  have 
8  left  a  glorious  example  to  us. 

17  For  9this  not  only  men 
but  women  have  been  perse- 
cuted :  10  and  having  suffered 
very  grievous  and  u  cruel  pun- 
ishments, have  finished  the 
course  of  their  faith  with  firm- 
ness ;  and  though  weak  in  body, 
yet  received  a  glorious  reward. 

18  "This  has  alienated  the 
minds  even  of  women  from  their 
husbands ;  and  changed  what 
was  once  said  by  our  father 
Adam ;  13  This  is  now  bone  of 
my  bone,  and  flesh  of  my  flesh. 


19  In  a  word,  envy  and  strife, 
have  overturned  "whole  cities, 
and  rooted  out  great  nations  from 
off  the  earth. 


CHAP.  IV. 

1  He  exhorts  them  to  live  by  the  rules, 
and  repent  of  their  divisions,  and 
they  shall  be  forgiven. 

THESE  things,  beloved,  we 
15  write  unto  you,  not  only 
16  for  your  instruction,  but  also 
for  our  own  remembrance. 

2  For^we  are  all  in  the  same 
"  lists,  and  the  same  combat  is 
18  prepared  for  us  all. 

3  Wherefore  let  us  lay  aside 
all  vain  and  empty  cares;  and 
let  us  come  up  to  the  glorious 
and  venerable  rule  of  our  holy 
calling. 

4  19  Let  us  consider  what  is 
good,  and  acceptable  and  well- 
pleasing  in  the  sight  of  him  that 
made  us. 

5  Let  us  look  steadfastly  to 
the  blood  of  Christ,  and  see  how 
precious  his  blood  is  in  the  sight 
of  God :  which  being  shed  for 
our  salvation,20  has  obtained  the 
grace  of  repentance  for  all  the 
world. 

6  Let  us  "  search  into  all  the 
ages  that  have  gone  before  us ; 
and  let  us  learn  that  our  Lord 
has  a  in  every  one  of  them  still 
given  place  for  repentance  to  all 
such  as  would 23  turn  to  him. 

7  u  Noah  preached  repentance ; 
and  as  many  as  hearkened  to  him 
were  saved.    25  Jonah  denounced 

1  Labours.  2  And  so.  3  By  envy.  4  Having  borne  seven  times  bonds,  Ac. 
5  He  received  the,  &c.  6Vid.  Pearson  de  Success,  c.  viii.  \  9.  T  Men  who 
have  lived  godly,  is  gathered  together.  8  Become  an  excellent  example 
among  us.  9  Envy.  10  The  names  of  Danae  and  Dirce  I  omit. — See  Junius 
Annot.  inloc.  u  Cursed  afflictions  or  torments.  12Envy  or  emulation. 
13  Gen.  ii.  23.  14Great.  15End.  16  Instructing  you,  but  also  remembering, 
&c.  "Place  of  encounter.  "Imposed  upon  us  all.  19  1  Tim.  v.  4.  20  Afforded 
or  given  to.  21  Look  diligently  to.  22  From  age  to  age.  23  Be  turned.  242 
Peter  ii.  5 :  Genesis  vii.     25  John   iii. 

115 


He  sets  before  them  the     I.  CLEMENT.         examples  of  holy  men. 

dient,  ye  shall  eat  the  good  of 
the  land ;  but  if  ye  refuse  and 
rebel,  ye  shall  be  devoured  with 
the  sword ;  for  the  mouth  of  the 
Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

15  These  things  has  God  esta- 
blished by  his  Almighty  will, 
desiring  that  all  his  beloved 
should  come  to  repentance. 


destruction    against    the    Nine 
vites : 

8  Howbeit  they  repenting  of 
their  sins,  appeased  God  by  their 
prayers :  and  x  were  saved, 
though  they  were  strangers  to 
the  covenant  of  God. 

9  f  Hence  we  find  how  all 
the  ministers  of  the  grace  of  God 
have  spoken  by  the  Holy  Spirit 
of  repentance.  And  even  the 
Lord  of  all  has  himself  2declared 
with  an  oath  concerning  it ; 

10  3As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord, 
I  desire  not  the  death  of  a  sin- 
ner, *  but  that  he  should  repent. 
Adding  farther  this  good  sen- 
tence, saying :  5  Turn  from  your 
iniquity,  O  house  of  Israel. 

11  6Say  unto  the  children  of 
my  people,  Though  your  sins 
should  reach  from  earth  to  hea- 
ven ;  and  though  they  shall  be 
redder  than  scarlet,  and  blacker 
than  sackcloth;  yet  if  ye  shall 
turn  to  me  with  all  your  heart, 
and  shall  call  me  father,  I  will 
hearken  to  you,  as  to  a  holy 
people. 

12  And  in  another  place  he 
saith  on  this  wise :  7  Wash  ye, 
make  you  clean;  put  away  8the 
evil  of  your  doings  from  before 
mine  eyes;  cease  to  do  evil,  learn 
to  do  well ;  seek  judgment,  re- 
lieve the  oppressed,  judge  the 
fatherless,  plead  for  the  widow. 

13  Come  now  and  let  us  rea- 
son together,  saith  the  Lord : 
though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet, 
they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow  ; 
though  they  be  red  as  crimson, 
9  they  shall  be  as  wool. 

14  If  ye  be  willing  and  obe- 


CHAP.  V. 

I  He  sets  before  them  the  examples  of 
holy  men,  whose  piety  is  recorded  in 
the  Scriptures. 

WHEREFORE  let  us  obey 
his  excellent  and  glorious 
will ;  and  10  imploring  his  mercy 
and  goodness,  let  us  fall  down 
upon  our  faces  before  him,  and 

II  cast  ourselves  upon  his  mercy ; 
laying  aside  all  12  vanity,  and 
contention,  and  envy  which  leads 
unto  death. 

2  Let  us  look  up  to  those  who 
have  the  most  perfectly  minis- 
tered to  his  excellent  glory.  Let 
us  take  Enoch  for  our  example  ; 
who  being  found  righteous  in 
obedience,  was 13  translated,  and 
his  death  was  not  u  known. 

3  Noah  15  being  proved  to  be 
faithful,  did  by  his  ministry 
preach  16  regeneration  to  the 
world ;  and  the  Lord  saved  by 
him  all  the  living  creatures,  that 
went  "with  one  accord  into  the 
ark. 

4  18  Abraham,  who  was  called 
God's  friend,  was  in  like  manner 
found  faithful;  inasmuch  as  he 
obeyed  the  19  commands  of  God. 

5  By  obedience  20  he  went  out 
of  his  own   country,  and  from 


deceived  salvation.  *  Spoken.  3Ezekiel  xxxiii.  11.  *  So  much  as  his 
repentance.  5  Repent  from.  6  Ezekiel  xviii.  30,  23 ;  Isaiah  i.;  Jeremiah 
iii.  4,  19.  7Isaiahv.  16.  8  Evil  from  your  souls.  9 1  will  make  them  as  wool. 
10  Becoming  suppliants  of,  &c  u  Turn  ourselves  to  his  mercy.  12  Vain 
labour.  13  Gen.  v.  24.  u  Found.  15  Being  found.  16  Gen.  vi.,  vii.,  viii. 
17  In  unity.  18  James  ii.  23;  Isaiah  xli.  8.  19  Words.  20  This 
man. 

116 


Examples  eminent  for        I.  CLEMENT.         kindness  and  charity. 


his  own  kindred,  and  from  his 
father's  house :  that  so  forsaking 
a  small  country,  and  a  weak  affi- 
nity, and  a  little  house,  he  might 
inherit  the  promises  of  God. 

6  For  thus  God  said  unto 
him ;  l  get  thee  out  of  thy  coun- 
try, and  from  thy  kindred,  and 
from  thy  father's  house,  unto  a 
land  that  I  will  show  thee. 

7  And  I  will  make  thee  a 
great  nation,  and  will  bless  thee, 
and  make  thy  name  great,  and 
thou  shalt  be  blessed.  And  I 
will  bless  them  that  bless  thee, 
and  curse  them  that  curse  thee ; 
and  in  thee  shall  all  families  of 
the  earth  be  blessed. 

8  And  again  when  he  sepa- 
rated himself  from  Lot,  God 
said  unto  him ;  2  Lift  up  now 
thine  eyes,  and  look  from  the 
place  where  thou  art  northward 
and  southward  and  eastward  and 
3  westward  for  all  the  land  which 
thou  seest,  to  thee  will  I  give  it, 
and  to  thy  seed  for  ever. 

9  And  I  will  make  thy  seed 
as  the  dust  of  the  earth,  so  that 
if  a  man  can  number  the  dust 
of  the  earth,  then  shall  thy  seed 
also  be  numbered. 

10  And  again  he  saith:  and 
*God  brought  forth  Abraham, 
and  said  unto  him ;  Look  now 
toward  heaven,  and  tell  the  stars, 
if  thou  be  able  to  number  them: 
so  shall  thy  seed  be. 

11  And  Abraham  believed 
God,  and  it  was  counted  to  him 
for  righteousness. 

12  Through  faith  and  hospi- 
tality, 6  he  had  a  son  given  him 
in  his   old   age ;    and   through 


obedience  he  offered  him  up  in 
sacrifice  to  God,  upon  one  of  the 
mountains  which  God  showed 
unto  him. 

CHAP.  VI. 

1  And  particularly  such  as  have  been 
eminent  for  their  kindness  and  charity 
to  their  neighbours. 

BY  6  hospitality  and  godliness 
was  Lot  saved  out  of  Sodom, 
when  all  the  country  round 
about  was  7  destroyed  by  fire 
and  brimstone : 

2  The  Lord  thereby  making 
it  manifest,  that  he  will  not  for- 
sake those  that  trust  in  him ; 
but  8  will  bring  the  disobedient 
to  punishment  and  correction. 

3  For  his  wife  who  went  out 
with  him,  being  of  a  different 
mind, 9  and  not  continuing  in  the 
same  obedience,  was  for  that  rea- 
son 10  set  forth  for  an  example, 
being  turned  into  a  pillar  of  salt 
unto  this  day. 

4  That  so  all  men  may  know, 
that  those  who  are  double  mind- 
ed, and  distrustful  of  the  power 
of  God,  are  "prepared  for  con- 
demnation, and  to  be  a  sign  to 
all  succeeding  ages. 

5  "By  faith  and  hospitality 
was  Rahab  the  harlot  saved. 
For  when  the  spies  were  sent  by 
Joshua  the  son  of  Nun,  to  search 
out  Jericho  and  the  king  of 
Jericho  knew  that  they  were 
come  to  spy  out  his  country ; 
13  he  sent  men  to  take  them,  so 
that  they  might  be  put  to  death. 

6  "Rahab  therefore  being  hos- 
pitable, received  them,  and  hid 


xGen.  xii.  1.  2  Gen.  sail.  14.  3  Towards  the  sea.  4  Gen.  xv.  5. 
5  A  son  was  given  unto  him.  6  Gen.  xix.  2 ;  2  Peter  ii.  6 ;  Jude  7. 
'  See  Not.  in  loc.  or  punished  with.  8  But  those  that  turn  another  way,  he 
puts,  &c.  9  Not  in  concord.  10  Put  for  a  sign.  u  Become.  n  Jos.  ii.  1,  &c. 
13  He  sent  men  that  should  take  them,  that  being  taken,  &c.  "  Therefore 

hospitable  Rahab. 

117 


What 


are  given 


I.  CLEMENT. 


for  this  purpose. 


them  under  the  stalks  of  flax,  on 
the  top  of  her  house. 

7  And  when  the  1  messengers 
that  were  sent  by  the  king  came 
unto  her,  and  asked  her,  saying, 
2  There  came  men  unto  thee  to 
spy  out  the  land,  bring  them 
forth,  for  so  hath  the  king  com- 
manded :  She  answered,  3The 
two  men  whom  ye  seek  came 
unto  me,  but  presently  they  de- 
jmrted,  and  are  gone :  4  Not  dis- 
covering them  unto  them. 

8  Then  she  said  to  the  5  spies, 
6 1  know  that  the  Lord  your  God 
7  has  given  this  city  into  your 
hands;  for  the  fear  of  you  is 
fallen  upon  all  that  dwell  there- 
in. When,  therefore,  ye  shall 
have  taken  it 8  ye  shall  save  me 
and  my  father's  house. 

9  And  they  answered  her, 
saying,  It  shall  be  as  thou  hast 
spoken  to  us.  9  Therefore,  when 
thou  sbalt  know  that  we  are 
near  thou  shalt  'gather  all  thy 
family  together  upon  the  house- 
top, and  they  shall  be  saved : 
but  all  that  shall  be  found  with- 
out thy  house,  shall  be  de- 
stroyed. 

10  10  And  they  gave  her  more- 
over a  sign :  that  she  should 
hang  out  of  her  house  a  scarlet 
rope ;  u  shewing  thereby,  that  by 
the  blood  of  our  Lord,  there 
should  be  redemption  to  all  that 
believe  and  hope  in  God.  Ye  see, 
beloved,  how  there  was  not  only 
faith,  but  prophecy  too  in  this 
woman. 


CHAP.  VII. 

1    What  rules  are  given  for  this  purpose. 

LET  us,  therefore,  humble  our- 
selves, brethren,  laying  aside 
all  pride,  and  boasting,  and  fool- 
ishness, and  anger :  And  let  us 
do  as  it  is  written. 

2  For  thus  saith  the  Holy 
Spirit;  12Let  not  the  wise  man 
glory  in  his  wisdom,  nor  the 
strong  man  in  his  strength,  nor 
the  rich  man  in  his  riches  ;  but 
let  him  that  glorieth,  glory  in 
the  Lord,  to  seek  him,  and  to  do 
judgment  and  justice. 

3  Above  all,  remembering  the 
words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  which 
he  spake 13  concerning  equity  and 
long  suffering,  M  saying, 

4  13  Be  ye  merciful  and  ye 
shall  obtain  mercy ;  forgive,  and 
ye  shall  be  forgiven :  as  ye  do, 
so  shall  it  be  done  unto  you :  as 
ye  give,  so  shall  it  be  given  unto 
you :  as  ye  judge,  so  shall  ye  be 
judged  ;  as  ye  are  kind  to  others 
so  shall  God  be  kind  to  you  : 
with  what  measure  ye  mete, 
with  the  same  shall  it  be  mea- 
sured to  you  again. 

5  By  this  command,  and  by 
these  rules,  let  us  establish  our- 
selves, that  so  we  may  always 
walk  obediently  to  his  holy 
words ;  being  humble  minded  : 

6  For  so  says  16the  Holy  Scrip- 
ture ;  "  upon  whom  shall  I  look, 
even  upon  him  that  is  poor  and 
of  a  contrite  spirit,  and  that 
trembles  at  my  word. 

7  T[  It  is,  therefore,  just  and 
18  righteous,  men  and  brethren, 
that  we  should  become  obedient 
unto   God,   rather   than   follow 


1  Men  being  sent  by  the  king,  and  saying.          2  Verse  4.  3  Verses  4,  5. 

4  Vid.  Conjecture.  Coteler.  in  loc.           5  Men.         6  Verse  9.  7  Given  you 

this  city.        8 Verse  13.         9 Verses  18,  19.        10Versel8.  "Mauyofthe 

Fathers  have  applied  this  to  the  same  purpose. — See  not.  Coteler .  in  loc. 
12  Jer.  ix.  23.  Comp.  2  Cor.  xi.  31.       13  Teaching  us.         14  For  thus  be  saith. 
15  Luke  vi .  35.        16  Holy  Word.         "  Isaiah  lxvi.  2. 
118 


18  Holy. 


He  advises  them 


I.  CLEMENT. 


to  be  humble. 


such  as  '  through  pride  and 
sedition,  have  made  themselves 
the  ring-leaders  of  a  detestable 
emulation. 

8  For  it  is  not  an  ordinary 
harm  that  we  shall  do  ourselves, 
but  rather  a  very  great  danger 
that  we  shall  run,  if  we  shall 
rashly  give  up  ourselves  to  the 
wills  of  men  who a  promote  strife 
and  seditions,  to  turn  us  aside 
from  that  which  is  fitting. 

9  But  let  us  be  kind  to  one 
another,  according  to  the  compas- 
sion and  sweetness  of  him  that 
made  us. 

10  For  it  is  written,  3The 
merciful  shall  inherit  the  earth  ; 
and  they  that  are  without  evil 
shall  be  left  upon  it :  i  but  the 
transgressors  shall  perish  from 
off  the  face  of  it. 

11  And  again  he  saith,  6I 
have  seen  the  wicked  in  great 
power  and  spreading  himself  like 
the  cedar  of  Libanus.  I  passed 
by,  and  lo  !  he  was  not ;  I  sought 
his  place,  but  it  could  not  be 
found. 

12  Keep  innocently,  and  do 
the  thing  that  is  right,  for  there 
shall  be  a  remnant  to  the  peace- 
able man. 

13  Let  us,  therefore,  hold  fast 
to  those  who  6  religiously  follow 
peace ;  and  not  to  such  as  7  only 
pretend  to  desire. 

14  For  he  saith  in  a  certain 
place,  8  This  people  honoureth 
me  with  their  lips,  but  their 
heart  is  far  from  me. 

15  And  again,  They  "bless 
with  their  mouths,  10  but  curse 
in  their  hearts. 


16  And  again  he  saith,  u  They 
loved  him  with  their  mouths,  and 
with  their  tongues  they  lied  to 
him.  For  their  heart  was  not 
right  with  him,  neither  were  they 
faithful  in  his  covenant. 

17  12  Let  all  deceitful  lips  be- 
come dumb,  and  the  tongue  that 
speaketh  proud  things.  Who 
have  said,  "with  our  tongue  will 
we  prevail ;  our  lips  are  our  own, 
who  is  Lord  over  us. 

18  For  the  oppression  of  the 
poor,  for  the  sighing  of  the  needy, 
now  will  I  arise  saith  the  Lord  ; 
I  will  set  him  in  safety,  I  will 
deal  confidently  with  him. 

CHAP.  VIII. 

He  advises  them  to  be  humble  ;  and  that 
from  the  examples  of  Jesus  and  of  holy 
men  in  all  ages. 

FOR  Christ  is  theirs  who  are 
humble,  and  not  who  exalt 
themselves  over  his  flock.  The 
sceptre  of  the  majesty  of  God, 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  came  not 
in  the  "  shew  of  pride  and  arro- 
gance, 15  though  he  could  have 
done  so  ;  but  with  humility  as 
the  Holy  Ghost  had  before  spoken 
concerning  him. 

2  For  thus  he  saith,  JLord, 
16  who  hath  believed  our  report, 
and  to  whom  is  the  arm  of  the 
Lord  revealed  ?  For  he  shall 
grow  up  before  him  as  a  tender 
plant,  and  as  a  root  out  of  a  dry 
ground. 

3  He  hath  no  form  or  come- 
liness, and  when  we  shall  see 
him,  there  is  no  beauty  that  we 
should  desire  him. 


1  In.  2  Prick  on  to.— See  Junius  Ann.  'Psalm  xxxvii.  9.  *  Prov.  ii.  10. 
5  Psalm  lxviii.  36.  8  With  religion  or  godliness.  7  With  hypocrisy  will  it. 
8  Isaiah  xxix.  13.  Psalm  lxii.  4.  9 Blessed.  10 Cursed.  "Psalm  lxxvin. 
36,  37.     12  Psalm  xii.  3.  13  We  will  magnify  our  tongue.  u  Boasting. 

15  Kainep  dwa/uevog,  though  he  were  powerful.     1B  Isaiah  liii.  according  to  the 
Hebrew.  ng 


Persuades  to 


I.  CLEMENT. 


healing  of 


4  He  is  despised  and  rejected 
of  men  ;  a  man  of  sorrows  and 
acquainted  with  grief. 

5  And  we  hid,  as  it  were,  our 
faces  from  him  ;  he  was  despised, 
and  we  esteemed  him  not. 

6  Surely  he  hath  born  our 
griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows  : 
yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken, 
smitten  of  God,  and  afflicted. 

7  But  he  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions ;  he  was  bruised 
for  our  iniquities  ;  the  chastise- 
ment of  our  peace  was  upon  him; 
and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed. 

8  All  we  like  sheep  have  gone 
astray ;  we  have  turned  every 
one  to  his  own  way,  and  the 
Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the  ini- 
quity of  us  all. 

9  He  was  oppressed,  and  he 
was  afflicted,  yet  he  opened  not 
his  mouth :  he  is  brought  as  a 
lamb  to  the  slaughter ;  and  as  a 
sheep  before  her  shearers  is  dumb, 
so  he  openeth  not  his  mouth. 

10  He  was  taken  from  prison, 
and  from  judgment ;  and  who 
shall  declare  his  generation?  For 
he  was  cut  off  out  of  the  land  of 
the  living,  for  the  transgressions 
of  my  people  was  he  stricken. 

11  And  he  made  his  grave 
with  the  wicked,  and  with  the 
rich  in  his  death  ;  because  he 
had  done  no  violence,  neither 
was  any  deceit  in  his  mouth. 

12  Yet  it  pleased  the  Lord  to 
bruise  him,  he  hath  put  him  to 
grief;  when  thou  shalt  make  his 
soul  an  offering  for  sin,  he  shall 
see  his  seed,  he  shall  prolong  his 
days ;  and  the  pleasure  of  the 
Lord  shall  prosper  in  his  hand. 

13  He  shall  see  of  the  travail 
of  his  soul  and  shall  be  satisfied  ; 
by  his  knowledge  shall  my  right- 
eous servant  justify  many:  for 
he  shall  bear  their  iniquities. 


14  Therefore  will  I  divide  him 
a  portion  with  the  great,  and  he 
shall  divide  the  spoil  with  the 
strong ;  because  he  hath  poured 
out  his  soul  unto  death ;  and  he 
was  numbered  with  the  trans- 
gressors, and  he  bare  the  sin  of 
many,  and  made  intercession  for 
the  transgressors. 

15  And  again  he  himself  saith, 
1 1  am  a  worm  and  no  man,  a  re- 
proach of  men,  and  despised  of 
the  people.  All  they  that  see 
me  laugh  me  to  scorn ;  they 
shoot  out  their  lips,  they  shake 
their  heads,  saying  :  He  trusted 
in  the  Lord  that  he  would  de- 
liver him,  let  him  deliver  him 
seeing  he  delighted  in  him. 

16  Ye  see,  beloved,  what  the 
pattern  is  that  has  been  given  to 
us.  For  if  the  Lord  thus  hum- 
bled himself,  what  should  we  do 
who  are  brought 2  by  him  under 
the  yoke  of  his  grace  ? 

17  Let  us  be  followers  of  those 
who  went  about  in  goat-skins 
and  sheep-skins  ;  preaching  the 
coming  of  Christ. 

18  3  Such  were  Elias,  and  Eli- 
sseus,  and  Ezekiel  the  prophets. 
4  And  let  us  add  to  these  such 
others  as  have  received  the  like 
testimony. 

19  Abraham  has  been  greatly 
witnessed  of ;  having  been  called 
the  friend  of  God.  And  yet  he 
steadfastly  beholding  the  glory 
of  God,  says  with  all  humility, 
5 1  am  dust  and  ashes. 

20  Again  of  Job  it  is  thus 
written,  6  That  he  was  just  and 
without  blame,  true ;  one  that 
served  God,  and  abstained  from 
all  evil.  Yet  he  accusing  him- 
self, says,  T  No  man  is  free  from 
pollution,  no  not  though  he 
should  live  but  one  day. 

21  Moses  was  called   faithful 


1  Psalm  xxii.  6.       2  MS.  &l  avrov.      3  We  say.       *  To  these,  those  also  that 
have  been  witnessed  of.        6  Gen.  xviii.  27.        6  Job  i.  1.  7  Job  xiv.  4. 

120 


it 


THE  TWO  SPIES  SENT  BY  JOSHUA  TO    JERICHO,  AND  THEIR   ESCAPE   FROM 

THE   HOUSE    FROM    RAHAB.  |P.iKe  117. 


FROM  MOSAICS  OF   THE  FIFTH    CENTURY  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF   ST.   MARIA  MAGGIORE,  ROME. 


Persuades  to 


I.  CLEMENT.         healing  of  differences. 


in  all  God's  House  ;  and  by  his  J 
conduct  1  the  Lord  punished  Is- 
rael by  stripes  and  plagues. 

22  And  even  this  man,  though 
thus  greatly  honoured,  spake  not 
greatly  of  himself ;  but  when  the 
oracle  of  God  was  delivered  to 
him  out  of  the  bush  he  said, 
2  Who  am  I,  that  thou  dost  send 
me  ?  I  am  of  a  slender  voice,  and 
a  slow  tongue. 

23  And  again  he  saith,  3 1  am 
as  the  smoke  of  the  pot. 

24  And  what  shall  we  say  of 
David,  so  highly  testified  of  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures  ?  To  whom 
God  said  *  I  have  found  a  man 
after  my  own  heart,  David  the 
son  of  Jesse,  with  my  holy  oil 
have  I  anointed  him. 

25  But  yet  he  himself  saith 
unto  God,  5  Have  mercy  upon 
me,  O  God,  according  to  thy 
loving  kindness  ;  according  unto 
the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mer- 
cies, blot  out  my  transgressions. 

26  Wash  me  thoroughly  from 
mine  iniquity,  and  cleanse  me 
from  my  sin !  For  I  acknow- 
ledge my  transgressions,  and  my 
sin  is  ever  before  me. 

27  Against  Thee  only  have  I 
sinned,  and  done  this  evil  in  thy 
sight,  that  thou  mightest  be 
justified  when  thou  speakest,  and 
be  clear  when  thou  judgest. 

28  Behold  I  was  shapen  in 
iniquity,  and  in  sin  did  my 
mother  conceive  me. 

29  Behold,  thou  desireth  truth 
in  the  inward  parts  ;  and  in  the 
hidden  part  thou  shalt  make  me 
to  know  wisdom. 

30  Purge  me  with  hyssop  and 
I  shall  be  clean,  wash  me  and  I 
shall  be  whiter  than  snow. 

31  Make  me  to  hear  joy  and 

1  MS.  eitpivev  o  6eoc  rov  \aparfk  6ia  tuv fiacnyuv.  2Exod.  iii.  11.  3  Exod.  iv. 
10.  *  Psalm  lxxxix.  20.  5  Psalm  li.  to  v.  17,  according  to  the  Hebrew. 
6  Tearfulness.  7  So  great  and  such  kind  of  men.  8  Witnessed  of,  or  cele- 
brated.    9  In. 

121 


gladness,  that  the   bones  which 
thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice. 

32  Hide  thy  face  from  my 
sins,  and  blot  out  all  mine  ini- 
quities. 

33  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart 
O  God ;  and  renew  a  right  spirit 
within  me. 

34  Cast  me  not  away  from 
thy  presence,  and  take  not  thy 
holy  spirit  from  me. 

35  Restore  unto  me  the  joy 
of  thy  salvation,  and  uphold  me 
with  thy  free  spirit. 

36  Then  I  will  teach  trans- 
gressors thy  ways,  and  sinners 
shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 

37  Deliver  me  from  blood- 
guiltiness,  O  God,  thou  God  of 
my  salvation,  and  my  tongue 
shall  sing  aloud  of  thy  righteous- 
ness. 

38  O  Lord  open  thou  my  lips, 
and  my  mouth  shall  show  forth 
thy  praise. 

39  For  thou  desirest  not  sacri- 
fice, else  would  I  give  it ;  thou 
delightest  not  in  burnt  offerings. 

40  The  sacrifices  of  God  are 
a  broken  spirit,  a  broken  and  a 
contrite  heart,  0  God,  thou  wilt 
not  despise. 

CHAP.  IX. 

J3e  again  persuades  them  to  compose  their 
divisions. 

THUS  has  the  humility  and 
6  godly  fear  of  these  7  great 
and  excellent  men,  8  recorded  in 
the  Scriptures,  through  obedi- 
ence, made  not  only  us,  but  also 
the  generations  before  us  better; 
even  as  many  as  have  received 
his  holy  oracles 9  with  fear  and 
truth. 

2  Having  therefore  so  many, 


and  to  obedience. 


I.  CLEMENT. 


Of  faith. 


Hitherto  slialt  thou  come,  and 
thy  floods  shall  be  broken  with- 
in thee. 

12  The  ocean,  unpassable  to 
mankind,  and  the  worlds  that 
are  beyond  it,  are  governed  by 
the  same  commands  of  their 
great  master. 

13  Spring  and  summer,  autumn 
and  winter,  give  place  peaceably 
to  each  other. 

14  The  several 12  quarters  of 
the  winds  fulfil  their  "work  in 
their  seasons,  without  offending 
one  another. 

15  The  ever-flowing  fountains, 
made  both  for  pleasure  and 
health,  never  fail  to  reach  out 
their  breasts  to  support  the  life 
of  men. 

16  Even  the  smallest  creatures 
M  live  together  in  peace  and  con- 
cord with  each  other. 

17  All  these  has  the  Great 
Creator  and  Lord  of  all,  com- 
manded to  observe  peace  and 
concord ;  being  good  to  all. 

18  But  especially  to  us  who 
flee  to  his  mercy  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  to  whom  be 
glory  and  majesty  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen. 

CHAP.  X. 

He  exhorts  them  to  obedience,  from  the 
consideration  of  the  goodness  of  God, 
and  of  his  presence  in  every  place. 

TAKE  heed,  beloved,  that  his 
many  blessings  be  not  to 15 
us  to  condemnation ;  except  we 
shall  walk  worthy  of  him,  doing 
with l6  one  consent  what  is  good 
and  pleasing  in  his  sight. 

2  1T  The  spirit  of  the  Lord  is  a 

1  Deeds  or  works.  2  Let  us  return  to  the  mark  of  peace  given  to  us  from  the 
beginning.  3See  him  with  our  understanding.  4Soul.  6  Choruses. 
6  Bounds.  7  Doubting.  8  Vid.  Edit.  Colomes.  p.  53.  9  Hollow,  or  depth. 
"Commanded,  so  it  does.  nJobxxxiii.  12 Stations.  13  Survive.  uMix 
together.  l5  All  of  us.  18  With  concord.  "  Prov.  xx.  27. 
122 


and  such  great  and  glorious l 
examples, 2  let  us  return  to  that 
peace  which  was  the  mark  that 
from  the  beginning  was  set  be- 
fore us  ; 

3  Let  us  look  up  to  the  Father 
and  Creator  of  the  whole  world  ; 
and  let  us  hold  fast  to  his  glorious 
and  exceeding  gifts  and  benefits 
of  peace. 

4  Let  us 3  consider  and  behold 
with  the  eyes  of  our 4  understand- 
ing his  long-suffering  will ;  and 
think  how  gentle  and  patient  he 
is  towards  his  whole  creation. 

5  The  heavens  moving  by  his 
appointment,  are  subject  to  him 
in  peace. 

6  Day  and  night  accomplish 
the  courses  that  he  has  allotted 
unto  them,  not  disturbing  one 
another. 

7  The  sun  and  moon,  and  all 
the  several 5  companies  and  con- 
stellations of  the  stars,  run  the 
8  courses  that  he  has  appointed 
to  them  in  concord,  without  de- 
parting in  the  least  from  them. 

8  The  fruitful  earth  yields  its 
food  plentifully  in  due  season 
both  to  man  and  beast,  and  to 
all  animals  that  are  upon  it,  ac- 
cording to  his  will ;  not 7  disput- 
ing, nor  altering  any  thing  of 
what  was  ordered  by. him. 

9  So  also  the  unfathomable 
and  unsearchable  floods  of  the 
deep,  are  kept  in  by  his  com- 
mand ; 

10  8  And  the  9  conflux  of  the 
vast  sea,  being  brought  together 
by  his  order  into  its  several  col- 
lections, passes  not  the  bounds 
that  he  has  set  to  it ; 

11  But  as  he  10  appointed  it, 
so   it   remains.      For   he   said,11 


How  ive  must  live  that       I.  CLEMENT.  we  may  please  God. 


candle,  searching  out  the  inward 
parts  of  the  belly. 

3  Let  us  therefore  consider 
how  near  he  is  to  us  ;  and  how 
that  none  of  our  thoughts,  or 
reasonings  which  we  frame  with- 
in ourselves,  are  *  hid  from  him. 

4  It  is  therefore  just  that  we 
should  not  forsake  our  rank,  by- 
doing  contrary  to  his  will. 

5  Let  us  choose  to  offend  a  few 
foolish  and  inconsiderate  men, 
lifted  up  and  glorying 2  in  their 
own  pride,  rather  than  God. 

6  Let  us  reverence  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  whose  blood  was 
given  for  us. 

7  Let  us  honour  those  who 
are  set  over  us ;  let  us  respect 
the  aged  that  are  amongst  us; 
and  let  us  instruct  the  younger 
men,  in  the  discipline  and  fear 
of  the  Lord. 

8  Our  wives  let  us 3  direct  to 
do  that  which  is  good. 

9  Let  them  show  forth  a  lovely 
habit  of  purity  in  all  their  con- 
versation ;  with  a  sincere  *  affec- 
tion of  meekness. 

10  Let  the  5  government  of 
their  tongues 6  be  made  manifest 
by  their  silence. 

11  Let  their  charity  be  with- 
out respect  of  persons  alike  to- 
wards all  such  as  religiously  fear 
God. 

12  Let  your  children7 be  bred 
up  in  the  instruction  of  Christ : 

13  And  especially  let  them 
learn  how  great  a  power  humility 
has  with  God  ;  how  much  a  pure 
and  holy  charity  avails  with 
him;  how  excellent  and  great 
his  fear  is ;  and  how  it  will B  save 
all  such  as  turn  to  him  with 
holiness  in  a  pure  mind. 


14  For  he  is  the  searcher  of 
the  thoughts  and  counsels  of  the 
heart;  whose  breath  is  in  us, 
and  when  he  pleases  he  can  take 
it  from  us. 

CHAP.  XL 

Of  faith,  and  particularly  what  we  are 
to  believe  as  to  the  resurrection. 

BUT  all  these  things 9  must  be 
confirmed  by  the  faith 
which  is  in  Christ ;  for  so  he 
himself  bespeaks  us  by  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

2  10  Come  ye  children  and 
hearken  unto  me,  and  I  will  teach 
you  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  What 
man  is  there  that  desireth  life, 
and  loveth  to  see  good  days  ? 

3  Keep  thy  tongue  from  evil, 
and  thy  lips  that  they  speak  no 
guile. 

4  Depart  from  evil  and  do 
good ;  seek  peace  and  ensue  it. 

5  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are 
upon  the  righteous,  and  his  ears 
are  open  unto  their  prayers. 

6  But  the  face  of  the  Lord  is 
against  them  that  do  evil,  to  cut 
off  the  remembrance  of  them 
from  the  earth. 

7  The  righteous  cried,  and  the 
Lord  heard  him,  and  delivered 
him  out  of  all  his  troubles. 

8  Many  are  the  troubles  of 
the  wicked  ;  but  they  that  trust 
in  the  Lord,  mercy  shall  encom- 
pass them  about. 

9  Our  all-merciful  and  benefi- 
cent Father  hath  bowels  of  com- 
passion towards  them  that  fear 
him;  and  kindly  and  lovingly 
bestows  his  graces  upon  all  such 
as  come  to  him  with  a  simple 
mind. 


1  That  nothing  is  hid  to  him  of  our  thoughts,  or  reasonings.     _ » In  the  pride 
of  their  own  speech,  or  reason.        s  Correct,  or  amend.        4  Will,  or  counsel. 
5  Moderation.      6 Let  them  manifest.       'Partake  of.      8 Saving, 
confirms.     10Psalm  xxiv.  11. 

123 


'The  faith 


Various  proofs 


I.  CLEMENT. 


from  nature 


10  "Wherefore  let  us  not  l  wa- 
ver, neither  let  us  have  any 
doubt  in  our  hearts,  of  his  excel- 
lent and  glorious  gifts. 

11  2Let  that  be  far  from  us 
which  is  written, 3  Miserable  are 
the  double-minded,  and  those 
who  are  doubtful  in  their  hearts. 

12  Who  say  these  things  have 
Ave  heard,  and  our  fathers  have 
told  us  these  things.  But  behold 
we  are  grown  old,  and  none  of 
them  has  happened  unto  us. 

13  0  ye  fools!  *  consider  the 
trees :  take  the  vine  for  an  ex- 
ample. First  it  sheds  its  leaves; 
then  it  buds ;  after  that  it  spreads 
its  leaves  ;  then  it  flowers ;  then 
come  the  sour  grapes ;  and  after 
them  follows  the  ripe  fruit.  Ye 
see  how  in  a  little  time  the  fruit 
of  the  tree  comes  to  maturity. 

14  Of  a  truth,  yet  a  little 
while  and  his  will  shall  suddenly 
be  accomplished. 

15  The  Holy  Scripture  itself 
bearing  witness,  That  5  He  shall 
quickly  come  and  not  tarry,  and 
that  the  Lord  shall  suddenly 
come  to  his  temple,  even  the 
6  holy  ones  whom  ye  look  for. 

16  Let  us  consider,  beloved, 
how  the  Lord  does  continually 
shew  us,  that  there  shall  be  a 
future  resurrection ;  of  which  he 
has  made  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
the  first  fruits,  raising  him  from 
the  dead. 

17  Let  us 7  contemplate,  belov- 
ed, the  resurrection  that  is  8  con- 
tinually made  before  our  eyes. 

18  Day  and  night  manifest  a 
resurrection  to  us.  The  night 
lies  down,  and  the  day  arises : 
again  the  day  departs,  and  the 
night  comes  on. 

19  Let  us  behold  the  fruits  of 


the  earth.  Every  one  sees  how 
the  seed  is  sown.  The  sower 
9  goes  forth,  and  casts  it  upon 
the  earth ;  and  the  seed  which 
when  it  was  sown  fell  upon  the 
earth  dry  and  naked,  in  time 
dissolves. 

20  And  from  the  dissolution, 
the  great  power  of  the  provi- 
dence of  the  Lord  raises  it  again ; 
and  of  one  seed  many  arise,  and 
bring  forth  fruit. 

CHAP.  XII. 

The  Resurrection  further  proved. 

LET  us  consider  that  wonder- 
ful 10type  of  the  resurrection 
which  is  seen  in  the  Eastern 
countries ;  that  is  to  say,  in 
Arabia. 

2  There  is  a  certain  bird  called 
a  Phoenix ;  of  this  there  is  never 
but  one  at  a  time:  and  that 
lives  five  hundred  years.  And 
when  the  time  of  its  dissolution 
draws  near,  that  it  must  die,  it 
makes  itself  a  nest  of  frankin- 
cense, and  myrrh,  and  other 
spices  into  which  when  its  time 
is  fulfilled  it  enters  and  dies. 

3  But  its  flesh  putrifying, 
breeds  a  certain  worm,  which 
being  nourished  with  the  juice 
of  the  dead  bird  brings  forth 
feathers ;  and  when  it  is  grown 
to  a  perfect  state,  it  takes  up  the 
nest  in  which  the  bones  of  its 
parents  lie,  and  carries  it  from 
Arabia  into  Egypt,  to  a  city 
called  Heliopolis  : 

4  And  flying  in  open  day  in 
the  sight  of  all  men,  lays  it  upon 
the  altar  of  the  sun,  and  so  re- 
turns from  whence  it  came. 

5  The  priests  then  search  into 
the  records  of  the  time;  and 
find  that  it  returned  precisely  at 
the  end  of  five  hundred  years. 


1  Be  double-minded.        *  Let  the  writing  be  far  from  us.         3  James  i.  8. 
4  Compare  yourselves  unto  a  tree.     5  Ex.  MS.  omitted  by  James,  Hab.  ii.  3 ; 
Malach.  in.    1.     6  Coteler.  AyyeXoc  Angel.     T  See.     8  Made  every  season. 
9  Went  forth,  and  so  in  the  rest.     10  Sign. 
124 


of  the  resurrection. 


I.  CLEMENT. 


God's  vengeance. 


6  And  *  shall  we  then  think 
it  to  be  any  very  great  and 
strange  thing  for  the  Lord  of  all 
to  raise  up  those  that  religiously 
serve  him  in  the  assurance  of  a 
good  faith,  when  even  by  a  bird 
he  shews  us  the  greatness  of  his 
power  to  fulfil  his  promise  ? 

7  For  he  says  in  a  certain 
place,  Thou  shalt  raise  me  up, 
and  I  shall  confess  unto  thee. 

8  And  again  2I  laid  me  down 
and  slept,  and  awaked,  because 
thou  art  with  me. 

9  And  again,  Job  says,  3Thou 
shalt  raise  up  this  flesh  of  mine, 
that  has  suffered  all  these  things. 

10  Having  therefore  this  hope, 
let  us  *  hold  fast  to  him  who  is 
faithful  in  all  his  promises,  and 
righteous  in  all  his  judgments ; 
who  has  commanded  us  not  to 
lie :  how  much  more  will  he  not 
himself  lie  ? 

11  For  nothing  is  impossible 
with  God  but  to  lie. 

12  Let  his  faith  then  be  stirred 
up  again  in  us ;  and  let  us  con- 
sider that  all  things  are  nigh 
unto  him. 

13  By  the  word  of  his  5  power 
he  made  all  things;  and  by  6the 
same  word  he  is  able  (whenever 
he  will),  to  destroy  them. 

14  Who  shall  say  unto  him, 
what  dost  thou?  or  who  shall 
resist  the  power  of  his  strength  V 

15  When,  and  as  he  pleased,8 
he  will  do  all  things;  and  nothing 
shall  pass  away  of  all  that  has 
been  determined  by  him. 

16  All  things  are  open  before 
him ;  nor  can  anything  be  hid 
from  his  council. 

17  9The  heavens  declare  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  firmament 
sheweth  his  handy  work.     Day 

1  Do.  2  Psalm  iii.  5.  s  Job  xix.  23.  4  Let  our  minds  be  fastened. 
5  Majesty.  6  His  word.  7  Wisd.  xii.  12.  8  MS.  ■rroiijoei.  9  If  the,  &c., 
Psalm  xix.  1.  10  Covered.  "Judgments.  n  Psalm  cxxxix.  7.  13  Mind. 
14  A  part,     15  Deut.  xxxii.  8,  9.     16  So  the  lxx. 

125 


unto  day  uttereth  speech,  and 
night  unto  night  sheweth  know- 
ledge. There  is  no  speech  nor 
language  where  their  voice  is 
not  heard. 

CHAP.  XIII. 

It  is  impossible  to  escape  the  vengeance 
of  God,  if  we  continue  in  sin. 

SEEING  then  all  things  are 
seen  and  heard  by  God ;  let 
us  fear  him,  and  let  us  lay  aside 
our  wicked  works  which  proceed 
from  ill  desires;  that  through 
his  mercy  we  may  be  10  delivered 
from  the  "condemnation  to  come. 

2  For  whither  can  any  of  us 
flee  from  his  mighty  hand  ?  Or 
what  world  shall  receive  any  of 
those  who  run  away  from  him  ? 

3  For  thus  saith  the  Scripture 
in  a  certain  place,  12  Whither 
shall  I  flee  from  thy  Spirit,  or 
where  shall  I  hide  myself  from 
thy  presence  ? 

4  If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven, 
thou  art  there ;  if  I  shall  go  to 
the  utmost  part  of  the  earth, 
there  is  thy  right  hand :  If  I 
shall  make  my  bed  in  the  deep, 
thy  Spirit  is  there. 

5  Whither  then  shall  any  one 
go ;  or  whither  shall  he  run 
from  him  that  comprehends  all 
things  ? 

6  Let  us  therefore  come  to 
him  with  holiness  of 13  heart,  lift- 
ing up  chaste  and  undefiled 
hands  unto  him ;  loving  our  gra- 
cious and  merciful  Father,  who 
has  made  us  u  to  partake  of  his 
election. 

7  For  so  it  is  written,  15  When 
the  Most  High  divided  the  na- 
tions, when  he  separated  the 
sons  of  Adam,  he  set  the  bounds 
of  the  nations,  according  to  the 
number  of  his  angels ;  16  his  peo- 


How  to  live 


I.  CLEMENT. 


to  please  God. 


pie  Jacob  became  the  portion  of 
the  Lord,  and  Israel  the  lot  of 
his  inheritance. 

8  And  in  another  place  he 
saith,  1  Behold  the  Lord  taketh 
unto  himself  a  nation,  out  of  the 
midst  of  the  nations,  as  a  man 
taketh  the  first-fruits  of  his 
flower; 2 and  the  Most  Holy  shall 
come  out  of  that  nation. 
CHAP.  XIV. 

How  we  must  live  that  vie  may  please  God. 

WHEREFORE  we  being  a 
part  of  the  Holy  One,  let 
us  do  all  those  things  that  per- 
tain unto  holiness : 

2  Fleeing  all  evil-speaking 
against  one  another ;  all  filthy 
and  impure  embraces,  together 
with  all  drunkenness,  youthful 
lusts,  abominable  concupiscences, 
detestable  adultery,  and  exe- 
crable pride. 

3  3  For 'God,  saith  he,  resisteth 
the  proud,  but  giveth  grace  to 
the  humble. 

4  Let  us  therefore  hold  fast 
to  those  to  whom  *  God  has  given 
His  grace. 

5  And  let  us  put  on  concord, 
being  humble,  temperate;  free 
from  all  whispering  and  detrac- 
tion; and  justified  by  our5 
actions,  not  our  words. 

6  For  he  saith, 6  Doth  he  that 
speaketh  and  heareth  many 
things,  and  that  is  of  a  ready 
tongue,  suppose  that  he  is  right- 
eous ? 7  Blessed  is  he  that  is  born 
of  a  woman,  that  liveth  but  a 
few  days:  8use  not  therefore 
much  speech. 

7  Let  our  praise  be  of  God, 
not  of  ourselves  ;  for  God  hateth 
those  that9  commend  themselves. 


8  Let  the  witness  of  our  good 
actions  be  given  to  us  of  others, 
as  it  was  given  to  the  holy  men 
that  went  before  us. 

9  Rashness,  and  arrogance, 
and  confidence,  belong  to  them 
who  are  accursed  of  God:  but 
equity,  and  humility,  and  mild- 
ness, to  such  as  are  blessed  by 
him. 

10  Let  us  then  lay  hold  of  his 
blessing,  and  let  us  l0  consider 
what  are  the  ways  by  which  we 
may  attain  unto  it. 

11  Let  us  u  look  back  upon 
those  things  that  have  happened 
from  the  beginning. 

12  For  what  was  our  father 
Abraham  blessed  ?  Was  it  not 
because  that  through  faith  he 
wrought  righteousness  and  truth  ? 

13  Isaac  being12  fully  persuad- 
ed of  what  he  knew  was  to  come, 
cheerfully  yielded  himself  up  for 
a  sacrifice.  Jacob  with  humility 
departed  out  of  his  own  country, 
fleeing  from  his  brother,  and 
went  unto  Laban  and  served 
him ;  and  so  the  sceptre  of  the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel  was  given 
unto  him. 

14  Now  what  the  greatness  of 
13  this  Gift  was,  will  plainly  ap- 
pear, if  we  shall  take  the  pains 
distinctly  to  consider  all  the  parts 
of  it. 

15  For  from  him  came  the 
priests  and  Levites,  who  all 
ministered  at  the  altar  of  God. 

16  From  him  came  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  according  to  the 
flesh. 

17  From  him  came  the  kings, 
and  princes,  and  rulers  in  Judah. 

18  Nor  were  the  rest  of  his 


1  Deut.  iv.  34.  2  Num.  xxvii.  3  Ja.  iv.  9,  1  Pet.  v.  5.  4  The  grace  of  God 
has  been  given.  5  Works.  6  He  that  speaketh  many  things  shall  also  hear, 
&c.  7  Job  xi.  2.  3,  Ixx.  8Be  not  wordy.  9  Are  praised  of.  10See  what  are 
the  ways  of  his  blessing.  u  Unroll.  12  Foreknowing  what  was  to  be,  became  a 
sacrifice.  13  These  gifts  he  shall  know  who  will  carefully  consider  them. 
126 


Of  justification 


I.  CLEMENT. 


by  faith  and  works. 


'tribes  in  any  small  glory:  God 
having  promised  that  *  thy  seed 
(says  he)  shall  be  as  the  stars  of 
heaven. 

19  They  were  all  therefore 
3  greatly  glorified,  not  for  their 
own  sake,  or  for  their  own  works, 
or  for  the  righteousness  that  they 
themselves  wrought,  but  through 
his  will. 

20  And  we  also  being  called 
by  the  same  will  in  Christ  Jesus, 
are  not  justified  by  ourselves, 
neither  by  our  own  wisdom,  or 
knowledge,  or  piety,  or  the  works 
which  we  have  done  *  in  the  holi- 
ness of  our  hearts : 

21  But  by  that  faith  by  which 
God  Almighty  has  justified  all 
men  from  the  beginning ;  to 
whom  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 

CHAP.  XV. 

We  are  justified  by  faith  ;  yet  this  must 
not  lessen  our  care  to  live  well,  nor  our 
pleasure  in  it. 

WHAT  shall  we  do  therefore, 
brethren?  'Shall  we  be 
slothful  in  well-doing,  and  lay 
aside  our  charity  ?j  God  forbid 
that  any  such  thing  should  be 
done  by  us. 

2rBut  rather  let  us  hasten  with 
all  earnestness  and  readiness  of 
mind,  to  perfect  every  good  work. 
For r  even  the  Creator  and  Lord 
of  all  things  himself  rejoices  in 
his  own  works.j 

3  By  his 5  Almighty  power  he 
fixed  the  heavens,  and  by  his 
incomprehensible  wisdom  he 
adorned  them. 

4  He  also  divided  the  earth 
from  the  water,  with  which  it  is 
encompassed  ;  and  fixed  it  as  a 
secure  tower,  upon  the  founda- 
tion of  his  own  will. 

5  He  also  by  his  appointment, 

1  Sceptres.  2  Gen.xxvii.  17.  'Glorified.  *  In  holiness  of  heart.  6  All- 
greatest.  6Gen.  i.2fi,  27.  7  Gen.  i.  28.  8This.  9  Come  to.  10Work- 
11  Isaiah  xl.  10.  lxii.  11. 

127 


commanded  all  the  living  crea- 
tures that  are  upon  it,  to  exist. 

6  So  likewise  the  sea,  and  all 
the  creatures  that  are  in  it ;  hav- 
ing first  created  them,  he  enclosed 
them  therein  by  his  power. 

7  And  above  all,  he  with  his 
holy  and  pure  hands,  formed 
man,  the  most  excellent,  and,  as 
to  his  understanding,  truly  the 
greatest  of  all  other  .creatures, 
the  character  of  his  own  image. 

8  For  so  God  says,  6Let  us 
make  man  in  our  image,  after 
our  own  likeness  So  God  created 
man,  male  and  female  created  he 
them. 

9  And  having  thus  finished  all 
these  things,  he  commended  all 
that  he  had  made,  and  blessed 
them,  and  said,  7  increase  and 
multiply. 

10  We  see  how  all  righteous 
men  have  been  adorned_  with 
good  works  :  Wherefore*  even 
the  Lord  himself,  having  adorn- 
ed himself  with  his  works,  re- 
joiced^, 

11  Having  therefore 8  such  an 
example,  let  us  without  delay, 
9fulfil  his  will;  and  with  all  our 
strength,  work  the  work  of 
righteousness. 

CHAP.  XVI. 

This  enforced  from  the  examples  of  the 
holy  angels,  and  from  the  exceeding 
greatness  of  that  reward  which  God 
has  prepared  for  us. 

THE  good  workman  with  con- 
fidence receives  the  bread 
of  his  10  labour  ;  but  the  sluggish 
and  lazy  cannot  look  him  in  the 
face  that  set  him  on  work. 

2  We  must  therefore  be  ready 
and  forward  in  well  doing ;  for 
from  him  are  all  things. 

3  And  thus  he  foretells  us, 
11  behold  the  Lord   cometh,  and 


Of  attaining  the  reward    I.  CLEMENT. 


of  the  righteous. 


his  reward  is  with  him,  even  be- 
fore his  face,  to  render  to  every 
one  according  to  his  work. 

4  He  warns  us  therefore  before- 
hand, with  all  his  heart  to  this 
end,  that  we  should  not  be  sloth- 
ful and  negligent  in  x  well  doing. 

5  Let  our  boasting,  therefore, 
and  our  confidence  be  in  2  God  : 
let  us  submit  ourselves  to  his  will. 
Let  us  consider  the  whole  multi- 
tude of  his  angels,  how  ready  they 
stand  to  minister  unto  his  will. 

6  As  saith  the  scripture,  thou- 
sands of  thousands  stood  before 
him  and  teD  thousand  times  ten 
thousand  ministered  uuto  him. 
'  And  they  cried,  saying,  Holy, 
holy,  holy  is  the  Lord  of  Sa- 
baoth  :  5  The  whole  earth  is  full 
of  his  glory. 

7  Wherefore  let  us  also, 
being  conscientiously  gathered 
together  in  concord  with  one  an- 
other ;  as  it  were  with  one  mouth, 
cry  earnestly  unto  him,  that  he 
would  make  us  partakers  of  his 
great  and  glorious  promises. 

8  For  he  saith,  6  Eye  hath  not 
seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have 
entersd  into  the  heart  of  man, 
the  things  which  God  has  pre- 
pared for  them  that  wait  for  him. 

CHAP.  XVII. 

1  We  must  attain  unto  this  reward  by 
faith  and  obedience,  which  we  must 
carry  on  in  an  orderly  pursuing  of  the 
duties  of  our  several  stations,  without 
envy  or  contention.  21  The  necessity 
of  different  orders  among  men.  33  We 
have  none  of  us  anything  b<xt  what  we 
received  of  God:  whom  therefore  we 
ought  in  every  condition  thankfully  to 
obey. 

HOW  blessed  and  wonderful, 
beloved,  are  the  gifts  of  God. 
2  Life  in  immortality !  bright- 
ness in  righteousness  !    truth  in 


full   assurance !   faith   in   confi- 
dence !  temperance  in  holiness ! 

3  And  all  this  has  7  God  sub- 
jected to  our  understandings : 

4  What  therefore  shall  those 
things  be  which  he  has  prepared 
for  them  that  wait  for  him  ? 

5  The  Creator  and  Father  of8 
spirits,  the  Most  Holy  ;  he  only 
knows  both  the  9  greatness  and 
beauty  of  them. 

6  Let  us  therefore  strive  with 
all  earnestness,  that  we  may  be 
found  in  the  number  of  those 
that  wait  for  him,  that  so  we 
may  receive  the  10  reward  which 
he  has  promised. 

7  But  how,  beloved,  shall  we 
do  this  ?  n  We  must  fix  our  minds 
by  faith  towards  God,  and  seek 
those  things  that  are  pleasing 
and  acceptable  unto  him. 

8  We  must  12  act  conformably 
to  his  holy  will  ;  and  follow  the 
way  of  truth,  casting  off  from  us 
all  unrighteousness  and  iniquity, 
together  with  all  covetousness, 
strife,  evil  manners,  deceit,  whis- 
pering, detractions ;  all  hatred 
of  God,  pride  and  boasting;  vain- 
glory and  ambition  ;A 

9  For  they  that  do  these  things 
are  odious  to  God ;  and  not  only 
they  that  do  them,  but  also  13  all 
such  as  approve  of  those  that  do 
them. 

10  For  thus  saith  the  Scrip- 
ture, "  But  unto  the  wicked,  God 
said,  What  hast  thou  to  do  to 
declare  my  statute,  or  that  thou 
shouldst  take  my  covenant  in  thy 
mouth  ?  Seeing  that  thou  hatest 
instruction,  and  castest  my  words 
behind  thee. 

11  When  thou  sawest  a  thief, 
then  thou  consentedst  with  him  ; 
and  hast  been  partaker  with  adul- 

1  Every  good  work.         2  Him.         3  Dan.  vii.  10.     4  Isaiah  vi.  3.     6  Every 
creature.     6  Isaiah  lxiv.  4,  1  Cor.  ii.  9.     7  He.     8Ages.     9Quantitv.     10  Gifts. 
11  If  we  shall.       12  Perform  those  things  that  are  agreeable.        13Eom.  i.  32. 
14  Psalm  1.  1 5,  &c.,  ac.  to  the  Hebrew. 
128 


CHRIST   IN   THE   PR/CTORIUM   AND   MOCKED,  AND   HIS   DESCENT   INTO   HELL.    [Page  93. 
PROM    INTAGLIOS   IN  A   BOX   OF   ROCK    CRYSTAL,  BY   AN   EARLY    VENETIAN   ARTIST. 


Of  faith  and  obedience      I.  CLEMENT. 


in  our  calling. 


terers.  Thou  givest  thy  mouth 
to  evil,  and  thy  tongue  frameth 
deceit.  Thou  sittest  and  speakest 
against  thy  brother ;  thou  sland- 
erest  thine  own  mother's  son. 

12  These  things  hast  thou 
done  and  I  kept  silence ;  thou 
thoughtest  that  I  was  altogether 
such  a  one  as  thyself:  but  I  will 
reprove  thee,  and  set  them  in 
order  before  thine  eyes. 

13  Now  consider  this  ye  that 
forget  God,  lest  I  tear  you  in 
pieces,  and  there  be  none  to  de- 
liver. 

14  Whoso  offereth  praise,  glo- 
rifieth  me  :  and  lo  him  that  dis- 
poseth  his  way  aright,  will  I 
shew  the  salvation  of  Godn 

15  This  is  the  way,  beloved,  in 
which  we  may  find  *our  Saviour, 
even  Jesus  Christ  the  high-priest 
of  all  our  offerings,  the  defender 
and  helper  of  our  weakness. 

16  By  him  we  look  up  to  the2 
highest  heavens  ;  and  behold,  as 
in  a  glass,  his  spotless  and  most 
excellent  visage. 

17  By  him  are  the  eyes  of  our 
hearts  opened  ;  by  him  our  fool- 
ish and  darkened  understanding 
rejoiceth  to  behold  his  wonder- 
ful light. 

18  By  him  would  God  have  us 
to  taste  the  knowledge  of  immor- 
tality :  s  who  being  the  bright- 
ness of  his  glory,  is  by  so  much 
greater  than  the  angels,  as  he 
has  by  inheritance  obtained  a 
more  excellent  name  than  they. 

19  For  so  it  is  written,  4  who 
maketh  his  angels  spirits,  and 
his  ministers  a  flame  of  fire : 

20  But  to  his  son,  thus  saith 
the  Lord,  5Thou  art  my  Son,  to- 
day have  I  begotten  thee. 

1  That  which  has  the  power  to  save  us.  2  Heights  of  heaven.  3  Heb.  i.  3,  4. 
4  Psalm  cix.  4.  Heb.  i.  7.  5Heb.  i.  5.  6  Comp.  Psalm  ii.  7,  8.  7  Heb.  i.  13, 
Psalm  cv.  1.  8War.  9  Prefects.  10  Commanders  of  a  thousand.  "Centu- 
rions. 12  Commanders  of  50,  and  so  on.  13 1  Cor.  xii.  13,  21.  u  Use  one  com- 
mon subjection. 

9  m 


21  6Ask  of  me,  and  I  will  give 
thee  the  heathen  for  thy  inherit- 
ance, and  the  utmost  parts  of 
the  earth  for  thy  possession. 

22  And  again  he  saitli  unto 
him,  7  Sit  thou  on  my  right  hand 
until  I  make  thine  enemies  my 
footstool. 

23  But  who  are  his  enemies  ? 
even  the  wicked,  and  such  who 
oppose  their  own  wills  to  the 
will  of  God. 

24  Let  us  therefore  8  march 
on,  men  and  brethren,  with  all 
earnestness  in  his  holy  laws. 

25  Let  us  consider  those  who 
fight  under  our  earthly  gover- 
nors :  ■  How  orderly,  how  readily, 
and  with  what  exact  obedience 
they  perform  those  things  that 
are  commanded  them.^ 

26  All  are  not  9  generals,  nor 
10  colonels,  nor  u  captains,  nor  12 
inferior  officers  : 

27  But  every  one  in  his  re- 
spective rank  does  what  is  com- 
manded him  by  the  king,  and 
those  who  have  the  authority 
over  him. 

28  They  who  are  great,  can- 
not subsist  without  those  that 
are  little  ;  nor  the  little  without 
the  great. 

29  But  there  must  be  a  mix- 
ture in  all  things,  and  then  there 
will  be  use  and  profit  too. 

30  Let  us,  "for  example,  take 
our  body  :  the  head  without  the 
feet  is  nothing,  neither  the  feet 
without  the  head. 

31  And  even  the  smallest 
members  of  our  body  are  yet 
both  necessary  and  useful  to  the 
whole  body. 

32  But  all  conspire  together,, 
and  M  are  subject  to  one  common 


Exhorts  from  the 


I.  CLEMENT.       different  orders  of  men 


use,  namely,  the  preservation  of 
the  whole  x  body. 

33  Let  therefore  our  whole 
body  be  saved  in  Christ  Jesus ; 
and  let  every  one  be  subject  to 
his  neighbour,  2  according  to  the 
order  in  which  he  is  placed  .by 
the  3  gift  of  God. 

34  Let  not  the  strong  man  de- 
spise the  weak  ;  and  let  the  weak 
see  that  he  reverence  the  strong. 

35  Let  the  rich  man  distri- 
bute to  the  necessity  of  the  poor : 
and  let  the  poor  bless  God,  that 
he  has  given  one  unto  him,  by 
whom  his  want  may  be  supplied. 

36  Let  the  wise  man  shew 
forth  his  wisdom,  not  in  words, 
but  in  good  works^ 

37  Let  him  that  is  humble, 
not  bear  witness  to  himself,  but 
let  him  leave  it  to  another  to 
bear  witness  of  him. 

38'  Let  him  that  is  pure  in  the 
flesh,  not  grow  proud  of  it,  know- 
ing that  it  was  4  from  another  that 
he  received  the  gift  of  continence. 

39  Let  us  consider   therefore. 


breth 


whereof  we  are  made : 


who,  and  what  kind  of  men  we 
came  into  the  world,  as  it  were 
out  of  a  sepulchre,  and  from 
outer  darkness. 

40  He  that  made  us,  and 
formed  us,  brought  us  into  his 
own  world;  having  6 presented 
us  with  his  benefits,  even  before 
we  were  born. 

41  Wherefore,  having  received 
all  these  things  from  him,  we 
ought  in  everything  to  give 
thanks  unto  him ;  to  whom  be 
glory  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen,  j 
CHAP.  XVIII. 

From  whence  he  exhorts  them  to  do 
everything  orderly  in  the  Church,  as  I 
the  only  way  to  please  God.  ' 


FOOLISH  and  unwise  men 
7  who  have  neither  prudence 
nor  learning  may  mock  and  de- 
ride us  ;  being  willing  to  set  up 
themselves  in  their  own  conceits; 

2  8  But  what  can  a  mortal  man 
do  ?  Or  what  strength  is  there  in 
him  that  is  made  out  of  the  dust  ? 

3  For  it  is  written,  there  was 
no  shape  before  mine  eyes;  only 
I  heard  a  9  sound  and  a  voice. 

4  10  For  what  ?  Shall  man  be 
pure  before  the  Lord  ?  Shall  he 
be  blameless  in  his  works? 

5  Behold,  he  trusteth  not  in 
his  servants ;  and  his  angels  he 
chargeth  with  folly. 

6  Yes,  the  heaven  is  not  clean 
in  his  sight,  how  much  less  they 
that  dwell  in  houses  of  clay  ;  of 
which  also  we  ourselves  were 
made? 

7  He  smote  them  as  a  moth  : 
and  from  morning  even  unto  the 
evening  they  endure  not.  Be- 
cause they  were  not  able  to  help 
themselves,  they  perished ;  he 
breathed  upon  them  and  they 
died,  because  they  had  no  wisdom. 

8  "Call  now  if  there  be  any  that 
will  answer  thee ;  and  to  which 
of  the  angels  wilt  thou  look  ? 

9  For  wrath  killeth  the  foolish 
man,  and  envy  slayeth  him  that 
is  in  error. 

10  I  have  seen  the  foolish 
taking  root,  but  lo,  their  habita- 
tion Mas  presently  consumed. 

11  Their  children  were  far 
from  safety,  they  12perished  at  the 
gates  of  those  who  were  lesser 
than  themselves;  and  there  was 
no  man  to  13  help  them. 

12  For  what  was  prepared 
for  them,  the  righteous  "  did 
eat :  and  they  shall  not  be  deli- 
vered from  evil. 


1  MS.  to  aua.      2  As  also  has  he  placed.     3  His  grift.      *  Another  that  pave 
him.     s  Of  what  matter.     6  Prepared  for  us.     7  And  impudent,  and  without 
instruction.     8  For.     9  An   air.     10  John  iv.  16,  <fec,  xv.  15,  iv.  19.     u  Job  v. 
1,  &c.     12  Were  crushed  upon.     13 Deliver.     14Eat. 
130 


to  order  in  the  church        I.  CLEMENT. 


as  pleating  to  God. 


13  Seeing  then  these  things 
are  manifest  unto  us,  it  will  be- 
hoove us,  to  take  care  that  look- 
ing into  the  depths  of  the  divine 
knowledge,  we  do  all  things  in 
order,  whatsoever  our  Lord  has 
commanded  us  to  do. 

14  And  particularly,  that  we 
perform  our  offerings  and  service 
to  God,  at  their  appointed  sea- 
sons :  for  these  he  has  com- 
manded to  be  done,  not  l  rashly 
and  disorderly,  but  at  certain 
determinate  times  and  hours. 

15  And  therefore  he  has  or- 
dained by  his  supreme  will  and 
authority,  both  where,  and  by 
what  persons,  they  are  to  be 
performed;  that  so  all  things 
being  piously  done  unto  all  well- 
pleasing,  they  may  be  acceptable 
unto  ahim. 

16  They  therefore  who  make 
their  offerings  at  the  appointed 
seasons,  are  happy  and  accepted  : 
because  that  obeying  the  com- 
mandments of  the  Lord,  they 
are  free  from  sin. 

17  And  the  same  care  must 
be  had  of  the  persons  that  min- 
ister unto  him. 

18  'For  the  chief-priest  has 
his  proper  services;  and  to  the 
priests  their  proper  place  is  ap- 
pointed ;  and  to  the  Levites  ap- 
pertain their  proper  ministries : 
and  the  layman  is  confined  within 
the  bounds  of  what  is  commanded 
to  laymen. 

19  Let  every  one  of  you  there- 
fore, brethren,  bless  God  in  his 
proper  station,  with  *a  good  con- 
science, and  with  all  gravity, 
not  exceeding  the  rule  of  his 
service  that  is  appointed  to  him. 

20  The  daily  sacrifices  are 
not  offered  everywhere ;  nor  the 
peace-offerings,  nor  the  sacrifices 


1  By  chance.  2  To  his  will.  3  See  Coteler. 
science.  5  Ye  see.  6  Done.  7  1  Thess.  i. 
9  Vid.  Coteler.  in  loc. 


appointed  for  sins  and  transgres- 
sions ;  but  only  at  Jerusalem : 
nor  in  any  place  there,  but  only 
at  the  altar  before  the  temple ; 
that  which  is  offered  being  first 
diligently  examined  by  the  high- 
priest  and  the  other  minister  we 
before  mentioned. 

21  They  therefore  who  do  any- 
thing which  is  not  agreeable  to 
His  will  are  punished  with  death. 

22r  5  Consider,  brethren,  that 
by  how  much  the  better  know- 
ledge God  has  vouchsafed  unto 
us  by  so  much  the  greater  dan- 
ger are  we  exposed  to. 

CHAP.  XIX. 

The  orders  of  Ministers  in  Christ's 
Church  established  by  the  Apostles 
according  to  Christ's  command,  7 
after  the  example  of  Moses.  16  There- 
fore they  who  have  been  duly  placed  in 
the  ministry  according  to  their  order 
cannot  without  great  sin  be  put  out  of  it. 

THE  Apostles  have  preached 
to  us  from  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  Jesus  Christ  from  God. 

2  Christ  therefore  was  sent  by 
God,  the  Apostles  by  Christ ;  so 
both  were  orderly  6  sent,  accord- 
ing to  the  will  of  God. 

3  For  having  received  their 
command,  and  being  thoroughly 
assured  by  the  resurrection  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  7and 
convinced  by  the  word  of  God, 
with  the  8  fulness  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  they  went  abroad,  pub- 
lishing, That  the  kingdom  of 
God  was  at  hand. 

4  And  thus  preaching  through 
countries  and  cities,  9they  ap- 
pointed the  first  fruits  of  their 
conversion  to  be  bishops  and 
ministers  over  such  as  should 
afterwards  believe,  having  first 
proved  them  by  the  Spirit. 

5  Nor  was  this  any  new  thing : 

in  loc.     4  Being  in  a  good  con- 
i.       8  With  the  full  assurance. 

131 


Of  the  orders 


I.  CLEMENT. 


the  ministry. 


seeing  that  long  before  it  was 
written  concerning  bishops  and 
deacons. 

6  For  thus  saith  the  Scrip- 
ture, in  a  certain  place :  1 1  will 
appoint  their 2  overseers  in  right- 
eousness, and  their  ministers  in 
faith. 

7  And  what  wonder  if  they, 
to  whom  such  a  work  was  com- 
mitted by  God  in  Christ,  estab- 
lished such  officers  as  we  before 
mentioned ;  when  even  that 
blessed  and  faithful  servant  in 
all  his  house,  Moses,  3  set  down 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures  all  things 
that  were  commanded  him. 

8  Whom  also  all  the  rest  of  the 
prophets  followed,  bearing  wit- 
ness with  one  consent  to  those 
things  that  were  appointed  by 
him. 

9  For  he,  perceiving  an  4  emu- 
lation to  arise  among  the  tribes 
concerning  the  priesthood,  and 
that  there  was  a  strife  about  it, 
which  of  them  should  be 
adorned  with  that  glorious  name ; 
commanded  their  twelve  captains 
to  bring  to  him  5 twelve  rods; 
every  tribe  being  written  upon 
its  rod,  according  to  its  name. 

10  And  he  took  them  and 
bound  them  together,  and  sealed 
them  with  the  seals  of  the  twelve 
princes  of  the  tribes  ;  and  laid 
them  up  in  the  tabernacle  of 
witness,  upon  the  table  of  God. 

11  And  when  he  had  shut 
the  door  of  the  tabernacle  he 
sealed  up  the  keys  of  it,  in  like 
manner  6as  he  had  done  the 
rods  ;  and  said  unto  them,  Men 
and  brethren,  whichsoever  tribe 
shall  have  its  rod  blossom,  that 


tribe  has  God  chosen  to  perform 
the  office  of  a  priest,  and  7to 
minister  unto  him  in  holy  things. 

12  And  when  the  morning 
was  come,  he  called  together  all 
Israel,  six  hundred  thousand 
men  ;  and  shewed  to  the  princes 
their  seals ;  and  opened  the 
tabernacle  of  witness ;  and 
brought  forth  the  rods. 

13  And  the  rod  of  Aaron  was 
found  not  only  to  have  blos- 
somed, but  also  to  have  fruit 
upon  it. 

14  What  think  you,  beloved  ? 
Did  not  Moses  before  know 
8  what  should  happen  ? 

15  Yes  verily  :  but  to  the  end 
there  might  be  no  division,  nor 
tumult  in  Israel,  he  did  in  this 
manner,  that  the  name  of  the 
true  and  only  God  might  be 
glorified,  to  him  be  honour  for 
ever  and  ever,  Amen. 

16  So  likewise  our  Apostles 
knew  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
that  there  should  contentions 
arise, 9  upon  account  of  the  min- 
istry. 

17  And  therefore  having  a 
perfect  fore-knowledge  of  this, 
they  appointed  persons,  as  we 
have  before  said,  and  then  10  gave 
direction,  how,  when  they  should 
die,  other  chosen  and  approved 
men  should  succeed  in  their 
ministry. 

18  Wherefore  we  cannot  think 
that  those  may  justly  be  thrown 
out  of  their  ministry,  iwho  were 
either  appointed  by  them,  or  af- 
terwards chosen  by  other  emi- 
nent men,  with  the  consent  of 
the  whole  church ;  and  who 
have  with  all  lowliness  and  in- 


1  Isaiah  lx.  17.  2  Bishops,  Deacons.  3  Signified.  4  An  emulation  hap- 
pening. 6Numb.  xvii.  6And  the  Rods.  'To  exercise  the  office  of  the 
priesthood,  and  to  minister,  &c.  8Thatthis  should  be  so.  9About  the 
name  of  the  bishoprick.  10  Left  a  list  of  other  chosen  and  approved  per- 
sons, who  should  succeed  them  in  their  ministry.  See  Dr.  Arden's  Disc, 
upon  this  passage.  Dr.  Hammond's  Power  of  the  Keys,  c  iii.  p.  413. 
132 


Exhorts  to  peace 


I.  CLEMENT. 


from  holy  orders. 


nocency  ministered  to  the  flock 
of  Christ,  in  peace,  and  without 
self-interest,  and  were  for  a  long 
time  commended  by  all. 

19  For  it  would  be  no  small 
sin  in  us,  should  we  cast  off  those 
from  their  1  ministry  who  holily 
and  without  blame  2  fulfil  the 
duties  of  it. 

20  Blessed  are  those  priests, 
who  having  finished  their  course 
before  these  times  have  obtained 
a  fruitful  and  perfect  dissolu- 
tion :  for  they  have  no  fear,  lest 
any  one  should  turn  them  out 
of  the  place  which  is  now  ap- 
pointed for  them. 

21  But  we  see  how  you  have 
put  out  some,  who  lived  reputa- 
bly among  you,  from  the  minis- 
try, which  by  their  innocence 
they  had  adorned. 

CHAP.  XX. 

He  exhorts  them  to  peace  from  examples 
out  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  20  par- 
ticularly from  St.  Paul's  exhortation 
to  them. 

YE  are  contentious,  brethren, 
and  zealous  for  things  that 
pertain  not  unto  salvation. 

2  Look  into  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, which  are  the  true  words 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Ye  know 
that  there  is  nothing  unjust  or 
counterfeit  written  in  them. 

3  There  you  shall  not  find 
that  righteous  men  were  ever 
cast  off  by  such  as  were  good 
themselves. 

4  3  They  were  persecuted,  but 
it  was  by  the  wicked  and  unjust. 

5  They  were  cast  into  prison  ; 
but  they  were  cast  in  by  those 
that  were  unholy. 

6  They  were  stoned;  but  it 
was  by  transgressors. 


7  They  were  killed;  but  by 
accursed  men,  and  such  as  had 
taken  up  an  unjust  envy  against 
them. 

8  *  And  all  these  things  they 
underwent  gloriously. 

9  For  what  shall  Ave  say,  bre- 
thren? Was  Daniel  cast  into 
the  5  den  of  lions,  by  men  fear- 
ing God  ?  Ananias,  Azarius,  and 
Misael,  were  they  6  cast  into  the 
7  fiery  furnace  by  men, 8  profes- 
sing the  excellent  and  glorious 
worship  of  the  Most  High  ? 
God  forbid. 

10  What  kind  of  persons 
then  were  they  that  did  these 
things  ?  They  were  men  abomi- 
nable, full  of  all  wickedness; 
who  were  incensed  to  so  great 
a  degree,  as  to  bring  those  into 
sufferings,  who  with  a  holy  and 
unblameable  purpose  of  mind 
worshipped  God  :  not  knowing 
that  the  Most  High  is  the  pro- 
tector and  defender  of  all  such 
as  with  a  pure  conscience  serve 
his  9  holy  name :  to  whom  be 
glory  for  ever  and  ever,  Amen. 

11  But  they  who  with  a  full 
persuasion  have  endured  these 
things,  10are  made  partakers  of 
glory  and  honour :  and  u  are  ex- 
alted and  lifted  up  by  God  in 
their  memorial  throughout  all 
ages,  Amen. 

12  1"  Wherefore  it  will  be- 
hoove us  also,  brethren,  12to  fol- 
low such  examples  as  these ;  for 
it  is  written,  Hold  fast  to  such 
as  are  holy ;  for  they  that  do  so 
shall  be  sanctified. 

13  And  again  in  another 
place  he  saith,  13  With  the  pure 
thou  shalt  be  pure,  (u  and  with 
the   elect   thou  shalt  be  elect), 

1  Bishoprick.  2  Offer  the  gifts.  3  Just  men.  4  Suffering  these  things  they 
underwent  them  gloriously.  5  Dan.  vi.  16.  6  Shut  into.  7Dan.  iii.  20. 
8  Worshipping  the  worship.  9  Full  of  virtue.  10  Have  inherited.  "Have 
been  exalted.  12  To  cleave  to.  13  Psalm  xvii.  2.  u  Omitted  by  Junius, 
and  now   restored  from  the  MS. 

133 


Farther  exhorts 


I.  CLEMENT. 


to  peace  and  union. 


but  with  the  perverse  man  thou 
shalt  be  *  perverse. 

14  Let  us  therefore  join  our- 
selves to  the  innocent  and  right- 
eous ;  for  such  are  the  elect  of 
God. 

15  "Wherefore  are  there  strifes, 
and  anger,  and  divisions,  and 
schisms,  and  wars,  among  us  ? 

16  2  Have  we  not  all  one 
God,  and  one  Christ  ?  3  Is  not 
one  spirit  of  grace  poured  out 
upon  us  all  ?  Have  we  not  one 
calling  in  Christ  ? 

17  Why  then  do  we  rend  and 
tear  in  pieces  the  members  of 
Christ ;  and  raise  seditions 
against  our  own  body  ?  And 
are  come  to  such  a  height  of 
madness,  as  to  forget  that  4we 
were  members  one  of  another  ? 

18  Remember  the  words  of 
our  Lord  Jesus,  5how  he  said, 
Wo  to  that  man,  (by  whom  of- 
fences ,  come)  6  It  were  better  for 
him  that  he  had  never  been  born, 
than  that  he  should  have  of- 
fended one  of  my  elect.  It  were 
better  for  him,  that  a  mill- 
stone should  be  tied  about 
his  neck,  and  he  should  be  cast 
into  the  sea,  than  that  he 
should  offend  one  of  my  little 
ones. 

19  Your  schism  has  perverted 
many,  has  discouraged  many:  it 
has  caused  diffidence  in  many, 
and  grief  in  us  all.  And  yet 
your  sedition  continues  still. 

20  If  Take  the  epistle  of  the 
blessed  Paul  the  Apostle  into 
your  hands  ;  7  What  was  it  that 
he  wrote  to  you  at  his  first 
preaching    the    Gospel    among 


you 


21  Verily  he  did  8by  the  spirit 


admonish  you  concerning  him- 
self, and  Cephas,  and  Apollos, 
because  that  even  then  ye  had 
begun  to  fall  into  9  parties  and 
factions  among  yourselves. 

22  Nevertheless  your  partial- 
ity then  led  you  into  a  much  less 
sin  :  forasmuch  as  ye  J0  placed 
your  affections  upon  Apostles, 
men  of  u  eminent  reputation  in 
the  church  ;  and  upon  another, 
who  was  greatly  tried  and  ap- 
proved of  by  them. 

23  But  consider,  we  pray  you, 
who  are  they  that  have  now  led 
you  astray ;  and  lessened  the 
12  reputation  of  that  brotherly 
love  that  was  13so  eminent  among 
you? 

24  It  is  a  shame,  my  beloved, 
yea,  a  very  great  shame,  and  un- 
worthy of  your  Christian  "  pro- 
fession, to  hear  that  the  most 
firm  and  15  ancient  church  of  the 
Corinthians  should,  by  one  or 
two  persons,  be  led  into  a  sedi- 
tion against  its  priests. 

25  And  this  report  is  come 
not  only  to  us,  but  to  those  also 
that  differ  from  us. 

26  Insomuch  that  the  name  of 
the  Lord  is  blasphemed  through 
your  folly  ;  and  even  ye  your- 
selves are  brought  into  danger 
by  it. 

27  T[  Let  us  therefore  with  all 
haste  16  put  an  end  to  this  sedi- 
tion ;  and  let  us  fall  down  before 
the  Lord,  and  beseech  Him  with 
tears  that  He  "would  be  favoura- 
bly reconciled  to  us,  and  restore 
us  again  to  a  18 seemly  and  holy 
course  of  brotherly  love. 

28  For  this  is  the  gate  of 
righteousness,  opening  unto  life  : 
as  it  is  written,  19  Open  unto  me 


1  Turn  aside.  2Eph.  iv.  4.  3lCor.  xii.  4Eom.  xli.  5  For  he  said.  6  Luke, 
xvii.  2.  '  See  Dodwell's  add.  and  Pearson,  Dr.  Grabe,  &c  8  Spiritually 
send  to  you.  9  Inclinations.  10  Inclined.  n  Witnessed  of.  12  Gravity. 
u  So  much  spoken  of.  u  Institution.  I5See  Dodwell.  16  Take  away. 
17  Becoming  favourable.  18  Grave,  venerable.  19  Psalm  cxviii.  19,  20. 
134 


The  value  and  effects  of    I.  CLEMENT. 


unity  and  charity. 


the  gates  of  righteousness ;  I  will  j  mits  of  no  divisions  ;  is  not  sedi- 
go  in  unto  them  and  will  praise  J  tious  ;  but  does  all  things  in 
the  Lord.     This  is  the  gate  of  peace  and  concord. 


the  Lord,  the    righteous    shall 
enter  into  it. 

29  Although  therefore  many 
gates  are  opened,  yet  this  gate 
of  righteousness  is  that  gate  in 
Christ  at  which  blessed  are  they 
that  enter  in,  and  direct  their 
way  in  holiness  and  righteous- 
ness, doing  all  things  without 
disorder. 

30  Let  a  man  be  faithful,  let 
him  be  powerful  in  the  utterance 
of  knowledge:  let  him  be  wise 
in  making  an  exact  judgment  of 
words ;  let  him  be  pure  in  all  his 
actions. 

31  But  still  by  how  much  the 
more  he  seems  to  be  *  above 
others  by  reason  of  these  things, 
by  so  much  the  more  will  it  be- 
hoove him  to  be  humble-minded  ; 
and  to  seek  what  is  profitable  to 
all  men,  and  not  his  own  advan- 
tage. 

CHAP.  XXI. 

1  The  value  which  God  puts  upon  love 
and  unity  :  the  effects  of  a  true  charity, 
8  which  is  the  gift  of  God,  and  must 
be  obtained  by  prayer. 

HE  that  has  the  love  that  is 
in  Christ,  let  him  keep  the 
commandments  of  Christ. 

2  For  who  is  able  to  express 
the  2  obligation  of  the  love  of 
God  ?  What  man  is  sufficient  to 
declare,  and  is  fitting,  the  excel- 
lency of  its  beauty  ? 

3  The  height  to  which  charity 
leads  is  inexpressible. 

4  Charity  3  unites  us  to  God  ; 
4  charity  covers  the  multitude  of 
sins :  5  charity  endures  all  things, 
is  long-suffering  in  all  things. 

5  There  is  nothing  base  and 


6  By  charity  were  all  the  elect 
of  God  made  perfect :  Without 
it  nothing  is  pleasing  and  ac- 
ceptable in  the  sight  of  God. 

7  Through  charity  did  the 
Lord  6join  us  unto  himself; 
whilst  for  the  love  that  he  bore 
towards  us,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
gave  his  own  blood  for  us,  by  the 
will  of  God ;  his  flesh  for  our 
flesh  ;  his  soul,  for  our  souls. 

8  f  Ye  see,  beloved,  how  great 
and  wonderful  a  thing  charity 
is  :  and  how  that  no  expressions 
are  sufficient  to  declare  its  per- 
fection. 

9  But  who  is  fit  to  be  found 
in  it?  Even  such  only  as  God 
shall  vouchsafe  to  make  so. 

10  Let  us  therefore  pray  to 
him,  and  beseech  him,  that  we 
may  be  worthy  of  it ;  that  so  we 
may  live  in  charity  ;  being  un- 
blamable, without  human  pro- 
pensities, without  respect  of  per- 
sons. 

11  All  the  ages  of  the  world, 
from  Adam,  even  unto  this  day, 
are  passed  away  ;  but  they  who 
have  been  made  perfect  in  love, 
have  by  the  grace  of  God  ob- 
tained a  place  among  the  right- 
eous ;  and  shall  be  made  mani- 
fest in  the  'judgment  of  the 
kingdom  of  Christ. 

12  For  it  is  written,  8  Enter 
into  thy  chambers  for  a  little 
space,  till  my  anger  and  indigna- 
tion shall  pass  away  :  And  I  will 
remember  the  good  day,  and  will 
raise  you  up  out  of  your  graves. 

13  Happy  9  then  shall  we  be, 
beloved,  if  we  shall  have  fulfilled 
the  commandments  of  God,  in  the 


sordid  in   charity  ;    charity  lifts  j  unity  of  love  ;  that  so,  through 
not  itself  up   above  others ;  ad-  [  love,  our  sins  may  be  forgiven  us. 

1  Greater.    2  Bond.     3  Glues.  4  1  Peter  iv.  9.     5  1  Cor.  xiii.  7,  &c     «  Take 
us  up.        7  Animadversion,  or  visitation.        8  Isaiah  xxvi.  20.         9  Are  we. 

135 


Exhorts  to  unity  from        I.CLEMENT.        the  example  of  Moses, 

went  down  alive  into  the  grave, 
death  swallowed  them  up. 

6  8  Pharaoh  and  his  host,  and 
all  the  rulers  of  Egypt,  their 
chariots  also  and  their  horsemen, 
were  for  no  other  cause  drowned, 
in  the  bottom  of  the  Red  Sea,  and 
perished ;  but  because  they  hard- 
ened their  foolish  hearts,  after  so 
many  signs  done  in  the  land  of 
Egypt,  by  Moses  the  servant  of 
God. 

7  f  Beloved,  God  is  not  indi- 
gent of  any  thing ;  nor  does  he 
demand  any  thing  of  us,  but 
that  we  should  confess  our  sins 
unto  him. 

8  For  so  says  the9 Holy  David, 
10 1  will  confess  unto  the  Lord, 
and  it  shall  please  him  better 
than  a  young  bullock  that  hath 
horns  and  hoof.  Let  the  poor 
see  it  and  be  glad. 

9  And  again  he  saith,  "  Offer 
unto  God  the  sacrifice  of  praise, 
and  pay  thy  vows  unto  the  Most 
Highest.  And  call  upon  me  in 
the  day  of  trouble,  and  I  will 
deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt 
glorify  me.  12The  sacrifice  of  God 
is  a  broken  spirit. 

10  Tf  Ye  know,  beloved,  ye 
know  full  well  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures ;  and  have  thoroughly 
searched  into  the  oracles  of  God : 
call  them  therefore  to  your  re- 
membrance. 

11  For  when  Moses  went  up 
into  the  mount,  and  tarried  there 
forty  days  and  forty  nights  in 
fasting  and  humiliation ;  God 
said  unto  him,  "Arise,  Moses, 
and  get  thee  down  quickly  from 
hence,  for  thy  people  whom  thou 
broughtest  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt,  have  committed  wicked- 


14  For  so  it  is  written, 
ed  are  they  whose  iniquities  are 
forgiven,  and  whose  sins  are 
covered.  Blessed  is  the  man  to 
whom  the  Lord  imputeth  no  sin, 
and  in  whose  mouth  there  is  no 
guile. 

15  Now  this  blessing  is  ful- 
filled in  those  who  are  chosen  by 
God  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord,  to  whom  be  glory  for  eyer 
and  ever.     Amen. 

CHAP.  XXII. 

1  He  exhorts  such  as  have  been  con- 
cerned in  these  divisions  to  repent, 
and  return  to  their  unity,  confessing 
their  sin  to  Ood,  7  which  he  enforces 
from  the  example  of  Hoses,  10  and 
of  many  among  the  heathen,  23  and 
of  Judith  and  Esther  among  the  Jews. 

LET  us  therefore,  as  many  as 
have  transgressed  by  any  of 
the  2  suggestions  of  the  adver- 
sary, beg  God's  forgiveness. 

2  And  as  for  those  who  have 
been  the  3  heads  of  the  sedition 
and  faction  among  you,  *  let 
them  look  to  the  common  end  of 
our  hope. 

3  For  as  many  as  are 5  endued 
with  fear  and  charity,  would 
rather  they  themselves  should 
fall  into  trials  than  their  neigh- 
bours :  And  choose  to  be  them- 
selves condemned,  rather  than 
that  the  good  and  just  charity 
delivered  to  us,  should  suffer. 

4  For  it  is  seemly  for  a  man 
to  confess  wherein  he  has  trans- 


5  6And  not  to  harden  his 
heart,  as  the  hearts  of  those  were 
hardened,  who  raised  up  sedition 
against  Moses  the  servant  of 
God  ;  whose  punishment  was 
manifest 7  unto  all  men ;  for  they 


'Psalm  xxxii.  2  See  Junius  in  loc.  'Chief  leaders.  4They  ought.  5  Walk- 
ins:  according  to;  live  in.  6Ratherthan.  7Num.xvi.  8Exod.iv.  9Chosen. 
10 Psalm  lxix.  31.  u  Psalm  1. 14.  12  Psalm  li.  17.  13  Exod.  xxxii. 

Deut.  ix. 

136 


the  heathens,  &c. 


I.  CLEMENT. 


TJie  benefit 


ness :  they  have  soon  transgress- 1 
ed  the  way  that  I  commanded ! 
them,  and  have  made  to  them- ' 
selves  graven  images. 

12  And  the  Lord  said  unto' 
him,  I  have  spoken  unto  thee 

1  several  times,  saying  I  have  J 
seen  this  people,  and  behold  it  is 
a  stiffnecked  people :  let  me ' 
therefore  destroy  them,  and  put 
out  their  name  from  under  hea- 
ven. And  I  will  make  unto 
thee  a  great  and  a  wonderful 
nation,  that  shall  be  much  2 
larger  than  this. 

13  But  Moses  said,  Not  so, 
Lord  ;  Forgive  now  this  people 
their  sin ;  or  if  thou  wilt  not, 
blot  me  also  out  of  the  book  of 
the  living.  O  admirable  charity ! 
O  insuperable  perfection  !  The 
servant  speaks  freely  to  his  Lord ; 
He  beseeches  him  either  to  for- 
give the  people,  or  to  3  destroy 
him  together  with  them. 

14  if  Who  is  there  among  you 
that  is  generous  ?  Who  that  is 
compassionate  ?  Who  that  has 
any  charity  ?  Tjet  him  say,  if 
this  sedition,  this  contention,  and 
these  schisms,  be  upon  my  ac- 
count, I  am  ready  to  depart ;  to 
go  away  whithersoever  you 
please  ;  and  do  whatsoever  *  ye 
shall  command  me :  Only  let 
the  flock  of  Christ  be  in  peace, 
with  the  elders  that  are  set  over 

15  '  He  that  shall  do  this,  shall 
get  to  himself  a  very  great  hon- 
our in  the  Lord  ;  and  5  there  is 
no  place  but  what  will  be  ready 
to  receive  him  :  6  For  the  earth 
is  the  Lord's  and  the  fulness 
thereof.^ 

16  These  things  they  who  have 
their  conversation  towards  God 


not  to  be  repented  of,  both  have 
done  and  will  always  be  ready 
to  do. 

17  *[[  7  Nay  and  even  the  Gen- 
tiles themselves  have  given  us 
examples  of  this  kind. 

18  For  we  read,  How  many 
kings  and  princes,  in  times  of 
pestilence,  being  warned  by  their 
oracles,  have  given  up  themselves 
unto  death :  that  by  their  own 
blood,  they  might  deliver  their 
8  country  from  destruction. 

19  'Others  have  forsaken  their 
cities,  so  that  they  might  put  an 
end  to  the  seditions  of  them. 

20  We  know  how  many  among 
ourselves,  have  given  up  them- 
selves unto  bonds,  that  thereby 
they  might  free  others  from 
them. 

21  Others  have  sold  them- 
selves into  bondage  that  they 
might  feed  10  their  brethren  with 
the  price  of  themselves. 

22  And  even  many  women, 
being  strengthened  by  the  grace 
of  God,  have  done  many  glorious 
and  manly  things  on  such 
occasions. 

23  The  blessed  "Judith,  when 
her  city  was  besieged,  desired  the 
elders,  that  they  would  suffer  her 
to  go  into  the  camp  of12  their 
enemies :  and  she  went  out  ex- 
posing herself  to  danger  for  the 
love  she  bore  to  her  country  and 
her  people  that  were  besieged ; 
and  the  Lord  delivered  Holofer- 
nes  into  the  hands  of  a  woman. 

24  Nor  did 13  Esther,  being  per- 
fect in  faith,  expose  herself  to 
any  less  hazard,  for  the  delivery 
of  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel,  in 
danger  of  being  destroyed.  For, 
by  fasting  and  humbling  herself, 
she  entreated  the  Great  Maker 


1  Once  and  twice.         2  More,  greater.  s  Blot  out.  *  The  multitude. 

5  Every  place.  6  Psalm  xxiv.  '  But  that  we  may  bring  the  examples  of 
heathens.  8  Citizens.  9Many.  10  Others.  "Judith,  viii.  ix.  x.  xiii. 
12  The  strangers.       u  Esther,  vii.  viii. 

h  137 


of  mutual  advice 


I.  CLEMENT. 


and  correction. 


of  all  things,  the  God  of 'spirits; '  no  evil  touch  thee.  In  famine 
so  that  beholding  the  humility  of  he  shall  redeem  thee  from  death ; 
her  soul,  he  delivered  the  people,   and  in  war  from  the   power  of 


for  whose  sake  she  was  in  peril. 
CHAP.  XXIII. 

The  benefit  of  mutual  advice  and  correc- 


the  sword. 

10  Thou  shalt  be  hid  from 
the  scourge  of  the  tongue ;  nei- 
ther shalt  thou  be  afraid  of  de- 


twu.      He  entreats  them  to  tallow  that  ,  „+„„„+•    „  ,  1  ,.  ,  •,  ,1 

,  •  ,  •  ,  .  ,,       J  struction  wlien  it  cometn. 

which  is  here  qiven  to  them.  ., -,    r™  i    !      -T       \ 

y  11  Thou  shalt  laugh  at  the 

WHEREFORE    let   us    also    wicked    and     sinners ;     neither 
pray  for  such  as  are  fallen  !  shalt  thou  be  afraid  of  the  beasts 


into  '  sin.  That  being  endued 
with  humility  and  moderation, 
they  may  submit  not  unto  us,  but 
to  the  will  of  God. 

2  For  by  this  means  3  they 
shall  obtain  a  fruitful  and  perfect 
remembrance,  with  mercy,  both 
in  our  prayers  to  God,  and  in 
our  mention  of  them  before  his 
4  saints. 

3  Let  us  receive  correction,  at 
which  no  man  ought  to  repine. 

4TT3eloved,  the  reproof  and  the 
correction  which  we  exercise  to- 
wards one  another,  is  good,  and 
exceeding  profitable :  for  it  unites 
us  the  more  closely  to  the  will  of 
God. 

5  "For  so  says  the  Holy  Scrip- 
ture, 5Tbe  Lord  corrected  me, 
but  he  did  not  deliver  me  over 
unto  death.  6  For  whom  the  Lord 
loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourg- 
eth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth. 
saith   he, 


of  the   earth.     The  wild   beast 
shall  be  at  peace  with  thee. 

12  Then  shalt  thou  know  that 
thy  house  shall  be  in  peace ;  and 
the  habitation  of  thy  tabernacle 
shall  not  err.  Thou  shalt  know 
also  that  thy  seed  shall  be  great 
and  thy  offspring  as  the  grass  of 
the  earth. 

13  Thou  shalt  come  to  thy 
grave  as  the  ripe  corn,  that  is 
taken  in  due  time ;  like  as  a 
shock  of  corn  cometh  in,  in  its 
season. 

14  Ye  see,  beloved,  how  there 
shall  be  a  defence  to  those  that 
are  corrected  of  the  Lord.  For 
being  a  good  instructor,  he  is 
willing  to  admonish  us  by  his 
holy  discipline. 

15  Do  ye  therefore  who  laid 
the  first  foundation  of  this  se- 
dition, submit  yourselves  unto 
your  9  priests  ;  and  be  instructed 
unto    repentance,   bending    the 


b"    '  The   righteous,    saitn 
shall  instruct  me  in  mercy  and  '  knees  of  your  hearts, 
reprove  me;    but  let  not  oil  of       16  Learn  to  be  subject,  lay- 
sinners  make  fat  my  head.  !  ing  aside  all  proud  and  arrogant 

7  And  again  he  saith,  8  Happy  j  boasting  of  your  tongues. 

is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth  ;  J  17  For  it  is  better  for  you  to 
therefore  despise  not  thou  the  be  found  little,  and  approved,  in 
chastening  of  the  Almighty.  the  10sheepfold  of  Christ,  than  to 

8  For  he  rnaketh  sore  and  bind-  j  seem  to  yourselves  better  than 
eth  up ;  he  woundeth  and  his  I  others,  and  be  cast  out  of  his 
hands  make  whole.  I  u  fold. 

9  He  shall  deliver  thee  in  six  I  18  For  thus  speaks  the  excel- 
troubles ;  yea  in  seven  there  shall  1  lent   and  all   virtuous   wisdom, 

1Ages;  who.  2  Viz.  that  of  schism.  3  There  shall  be  to  them.  4i.  e.  onr 
Fellow- Christians.  5 Psalm  xcviii.  6Prov.  iii.  11.         7  Psalm  cxli.  5. 

8  Job  v.  17.  &c.     9  Elders.     10  See  Junius  in  loc.     u  See  Coteler  in  loc. 
138 


Commendation  to 


II.  CLEMENT. 


sincere  obedience. 


1  Behold  I  will  pour  out  the  word 
of  my  spirit  upou  you,  I  will 
make  kuown  my  speech  unto  you. 

19  Because  I  called  and  ye 
would  not  hear,  I  stretched  out 
my  words  and  ye  regarded  not. 

20  But  ye  have  set  at  nought 
all  my  counsel,  and  would  none 
of  my  reproof.  I  will  also  laugh 
at  your  calamity,  and  mock  when 
your  fear  cometh. 

21  When  your  fear  cometh  as 
desolation,  and  your  destruction 
as  a  whirlwind,  when  distress 
and  anguish  cometh  upon  you. 

22  Then  shall  ye  call  upon 
me,  but  I  will  not  hear  you :  the 
wicked  shall  seek  me,  but  they 
shall  not  find  me.  For  that 
they  hated  knowledge,  and  did 
not  seek  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

23  They  would  not  hearken 
unto  my  counsel :  they  despised 
all  my  reproof.  Therefore  shall 
they  eat  of  the  fruit  of  their  own 
ways ;  and  be  filled  with  their 
own  wickedness. 

*  *  * 

CHAP.  XXIV. 

1  Recommends  them  to  God.  Desires 
speedily  to  hear  that  this  Epistle  has 
had  a  good  effect  upon  them.  4  Con- 
clusion. 

"VfOW  God,  the  inspector  of 
±\    all  things,  the  2  Father  of 


Spirits,  and  the  Lord  of  all  flesh, 
who  hath  chosen  our  Lord  Je.sus 
Christ,  and  us  by  him,  to  be  his 
peculiar  people; 

2  Grant  to  every  soul  of  man 
that   calleth    upon    his  glorious 

I  and  holy  name,  faith,  fear,  peace, 
1  long-sullering,  patience,  temper- 
■  ance,  holiness  and  sobriety,  unto 
J  all  well-pleasing  3  in  his  sight ; 
i  through  our  High-Priest  and 
Protector  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom 
I  be  glory,  and  majesty,  and 
power,  and  honour,  unto  him 
now  and  for  ever  more.  Amen. 

3  ^f  The  messengers  whom  we 
have  sent  unto  you,  Claudius, 
Ephebus,  and  Valerios  Bito,  with 
Fortunatus,  send  back  to  us 
again  with  all  speed  in  peace, 
and  with  joy,  that  they  may  the 
sooner  acquaint  us  with  your 
peace  and  concord,  so  much 
prayed  for  and  desired  by  us ; 
and  that  we  may  rejoice  in  your 
good  order. 

4  The  Grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  be  with  you,  and 
with  all  that  are  anywhere  called 

|  by  God  through  him  :  To  whom 
|  be  honour  and  glory,  and  might 
and  majesty,  and  eternal  domi- 
nion, by  4  Christ  Jesus,  from 
|  everlasting  to  everlasting.  Amen. 


The  SECOND  EPISTLE  of  CLEMENT  to  the  CORINTHIANS. 

[Archbishop  Wake  is  the  translator  of  this  Second  Epistle,  which  he  says 
was  not  of  so  great  reputation  among  the  primitive  Fathers  as  the  first. 
He  defends  it  notwithstanding ;  and  in  answer  to  those  who  objected  to 
Clement's  First  Epistle,  that  it  did  not  duly  honour  the  Trinity,  the 
Archbishop  refers  to  this  as  containing  proof  of  the  writer's  fulness  of 
belief  on  that  point.] 

God:    as   of  the  judge  of  the 


CHAP.  I. 

That  we  ought  to  value  our  salvation; 
and  to  shew  that  we  do,  by  a  sincere 
obedience. 

BRETHREN,  we  ought  so  to 
think  of  Jesus  Christ  as  of 


1  Prov.  i.  23,  &c.     2  Master.     3  To  his  name. 

meanly. 


living,  and  the  dead  ;  nor  should 
we  think  any  less  of  our  salva- 
tion. 

2  Tor  if  we  think  5  meanly  of 
him,  we  shall  hope  only  to  re- 

Ilim.     6  Little  things,  or 

139 


The  Gentiles 


II.  CLEMENT. 


to  be  saved. 


ceive  some  small   things   from 
him.j 

3  And  if  we  '  do  so ;  we  shall 
sin ;  not  *  considering  from 
whence  we  have  been  called, 
and  by  whom,  and  to  what 
place ;  and  how  much  Jesus 
Christ  vouchsafed  to  suffer  for 
our  sakes. 

4  What  recompense  then  shall 
we  render  unto  him  ?  Or  what 
fruit  that  may  be  worthy  of 
what  he  has  given  to  us  ? 

5  For  indeed  *how  great  are 
those  advantages  which  we  owe 
to  him  in  relation  to  our  holi- 
ness? He  has  illuminated  us: 
as  a  father,  he  has  called  us  his 
children ;  he  has  saved  us  who 
were  lost  and  undone. 

6  What  praise  shall  we  give 
to  him  ?  Or  what  reward  that 
may  be  answerable  to  those 
things  which  we  have  received  ? 

7  We  were  defective  in  our  un- 
derstandings;  worshipping  stones 
and  wood ;  gold,  and  silver,  and 
brass,  the  works  of  men's  hands  ; 
and  our  whole  life  was  nothing 
else  but  death. 

8  Wherefore  being  encom- 
passed with  darkness,  and  having 
such  a  mist  before  our  eyes,  we 
have  looked  up,  and  through  his 
will  have  laid  aside  the  cloud 
wherewith  we  were  surrounded. 

9  For  he  had  compassion  upon 
us,  and  being  moved  in  his  bow- : 
els  towards  us,  he  saved  us ;  I 
having  beheld  in  us  much  error, 
and  destruction ;  and  seen  that 
we  had  no  hope  of  salvation,  but 
only  through  him. 

10  For  he  called  us  who  were 
not;  and  was  pleased  from  no- 
thing to  give  us  being. 


CHAP.  II. 

1  That  God  had  before  prophesied  by 
Isaiah,  that  the  Gentiles  should  be 
saved.  8  That  this  ought  to  engage 
such  especially  to  live  well;  without 
which  they  will  still  miscarry. 

REJOICE,  thou  barren,  that 
bearest  not,  break  forth  and 
cry  thou  that  travailest  not ;  for 
she  that  is  desolate  hath  many 
more  children  than  she  that  hath 
an  husband.* 

2  In  that  he  said,  Rejoice 
thou  barren  that  bearest  not,  he 

;  spake  of  us  :  for  our  church  was 
i  barren  before  that  children  were 
i  given  unto  it. 

3  And  again  ;  '•  when  he  said, 
l  Cry  thou  that  travailest  not ; 
;  he   implied    thus    much :    That 

after  the  manner  of  women  in 
travail,  we  should  not  cease  to 
put  up  our  prayers  unto  God 
5  abundantly. 

4  And  for  what  follows,  because 
she  that  is  desolate  hath  more 
children  than  she  that  hath  an 
husband  :  it  was  therefore  added, 
because  our  people  which  seem 
to  have  been  forsaken  by  God, 
now  believing  in  him,  are  become 
more  than  they  who  seemed  to 
have  God. 

5  And  another  Scripture  saith, 
6 1  came  not  to  call  the  righteous 
but  sinners  (to  repentance). 
The  meaning  of  which  is  this  : 
that  those  who  were  lost  must  be 
saved. 

6  For  that  is,  indeed,  truly 
great  and  wonderful,  not  to  con- 
firm those  things  that  are  yet 
standing,  but  those  which  are 
falling. 

7  Even  so  did  it  seem  good  to 
Christ  to  save  what  was  lost ; 
and    when    he    came    into   the 


1  Hear  as  of  little  things.     2  Knowing.      3  How  greatly  holy  things  do  we 
owe  unto  him.     *  Isaiah  liv.  1.      5'A7r/.wf.     See   St.  James  i.   5.     Compare 
Rom.  xii.  8.     2  Cor.  viii.  2,  ix.  11,  13.     6  Matt.  ix.  13. 
140 


Exhorts  against  the  II.  CLEMENT.         things  of  this  world 


world,  he  saved  many,  and  called 
us  who  were  already  lost. 

8  Seeing  then  he  has  shewed 
so  great  mercy  towards  us ;  and 
chiefly  for  that,  we  who  are 
alive,  do  now  no  longer  sacrifice 
to  dead  Gods,  nor  pay  any  wor- 
ship to  them,  but  have  by  him 
been  brought  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  Father  of  truth. 

9  x  Whereby  shall  we  shew 
that  we  do  indeed  know  him, 
but  by  not  denying  him  by 
whom  we  have  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  him  ? 

10  For  even  he  himself  saith, 
*  Whosoever  shall  confess  me 
before  men,  him  will  I  confess 
before  my  Father.  This  there- 
fore is  our  reward  if  we  shall 
confess  him  by  whom  we  have 
been  saved. 

11  Buty  wherein  must  we  con- 
fess him  ? — Namely,  in  doing 
those  things  which  he  saith,  and 
not  disobeying  his  command- 
ments :  by  worshipping  him  not 
with  our  lips  only,  but  with  all 
our  heart,  and  with  all  our  mind. 
For  he  saith  in  Isaiah :  3  This 
people  honoureth  me  with  their 
lips,  but  their  heart  is  far  from 
me. 

12  Let  us  then  not  only  call 
him  Lord  ;  for  that  will  not 
save  us.  For  he  saith :  *  Not 
every  one  that  saith  unto  me 
Lord,  Lord,  shall  be  saved,  but 
he  that  doeth  righteousness. 

13  Wherefore,  brethren^  let 
us  confess  him  by  our  works  ;  by 
loving  one  another ;  in  not  com- 
mitting adultery,  not  speaking 
evil  against  each  other,  not  envy- 
ing one  another ;  but  by  being 
temperate,  merciful,  good. 

14  Let  us  also  have  a  mutual 


sense  of  one  another's  sufferings ; 
and  not  be  covetous  of  money : 
but  let  us,  by  our  good  works, 
confess  God,  and  not  by  those 
that  are  otherwise. 

15  Also  let  us  not  fear  men  : 
but  rather  God.  5  Wherefore, 
if  we  should  do  such  wicked 
things,  the  Lord  hath  said: 
Though  ye  should  be  joined  unto 
me,  even  in  my  very  bosom,  and 
not  keep  my  commandments,  I 
would  cast  you  off,  and  say  unto 
you  :  6  Depart  from  me  ;  I  know 
not  whence  you  are,  ye  workers 
of  iniquity. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  That  whilst  we  secure  the  other  world, 
we  need  not  fear  what  can  befall  us  in 
this.  5.  That  if  we  follow  the  interests 
of  this  present  world,  we  cannot  es- 
cape the  punishment  of  the  other.  10 
Which  ought  to  bring  us  to  repentance 
and  holiness,  14  and  that  presently: 
because  in  this  world  is  the  only  time 
for  repentance. 

WHEREFORE,  brethren, 
leaving  willingly  for  con- 
science sake  our  sojourning  in 
this  world,  let  us  do  the  will  of 
him  who  has  called  us,  and  not 
fear  to  depart  out  of  this  world. 

2  For  the  Lord  saith,  7Ye 
shall  be  as  sheep  in  the  midst  of 
wolves.  Peter  answered  and 
said,  What  if  the  wolves  shall 
tear  in  pieces  the  sheep  ?  Jesus 
said  unto  Peter,  Let  not  the 
sheep  fear  the  wolves  after  death  : 
8  And  ye  also  fear  not  those  that 
kill  you,  and  after  that  have  no 
more  that  they  can  do  unto  you  ; 
but  fear  him  who  after  you  are 
dead,  has  power  to  cast  both  soul 
and  body  into  hell-fire. 

3  For  consider,  brethren,  that 
the  sojourning  of  this  flesh   in 


1  What  is  the  knowledge  which  is  towards  him.  2  Matt.  x.  32.  s  Tsaiah 
xxix.  13.  4Matt.  vii.  21.  5  Wherefore  we  doing  these  things.  6  Matt, 
xii.  23  ;  Luke  xiii.  27.      7Matt.  v.  16.      8  Luke  xii.  4,  5. 

141 


and  to  repentance. 


II.  CLEMENT. 


0/  the  resurrection. 


the  present  world,  is  but  little, 
and  of  a  short  continuance,  but 
the  promise  of  Christ  is  great 
and  wonderful,  even  the  rest  of 
the  kingdom  that  is  to  come, 
and  of  eternal  life. 

4  What  then  must  we  do  that 
we  may  attain  unto  it? — We 
must  l  order  our  conversation 
holily  and  righteously,  and  look 
upon  all  the  things  of  this  world 
as  none  of  ours,  and  not  desire 
them.  For,  if  we  desire  to  pos- 
sess them  we  fall  from  the  way 
of  righteousness. 

5  For   thus   saith   the   Lord, 

2  No  servant  can  serve  two  mas- 
ters. If  therefore  we  shall  de- 
sire to  serve  God  and  Mammon 
it  will  be  without  profit  to  us. 

3  For  what  will  it  profit,  if  one 
gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose 
his  own  soul  ? 

6  Now  this  world  and  that  to 
come  are  two  enemies.  Thisspeak- 
eth  of  adultery  and  corruption, 
of  covetousness  and  deceit ;  but 
renounces  these  things. 

7  We  cannot,  therefore,  be 
the  friends  of  both  ;  but  we  must 
resolve  by  forsaking  the  one,  to 
enjoy  the  other.  And  we  think 
it  is  better  to  hate  the  present 
things,  as  little,  short-lived,  and 
corruptible,  and  to  love  those 
which  are  to  come,  which  are 
truly  good  and  incorruptible. 

8  For,  if  we  do  the  will  of 
Christ,  we  shall  find  rest :  but  if 
not,  nothing  shall  deliver  us 
from  eternal  punishment  if  we 
shall  disobey  his  commands.  For 
even  thus  saith  the  Scripture  in 
the  prophet  Ezekiel,  4  If  Noah, 
Job,  and  Daniel  should  rise  up, 
they  shall  not  deliver  their  chil- 
dren in  captivity. 

9  Wherefore,  if  such  righteous 


men  are  not  able  by  their  right 

1  MS.  Alexander,    ociut;  kcu  dtxaiaq  avqpEibeaBai.     2  Luke  xvi.  13 
xvi   26.     4  Ezek.  xiv.  14,  20.     6  Isaiah  lxvi.  24. 
142 


eousness  to  deliver  their  children  ; 
how  can  we  hope  to  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  God,  except  we 
keep  our  baptism  holy  and  un- 
defiled?  Or  who  shall  be  our 
advocate,  unless  we  shall  be 
found  to  have  done  what  is  holy 
and  just  ? 

10  Let  us,  therefore,  my  bre- 
thren, contend  with  all  earnest- 
ness, knowing  that  our  combat 
is  at  hand  ;  and  that  many  go 
long  voyages  to  encounter  for  a 
corruptible  reward. 

11  And  yet  all  are  not 
crowned,  but  they  only  that 
labour  much,  and  strive  glo- 
riously. Let  us,  therefore,  so 
contend,  that  we  may  all  be 
crowned.  Let  us  run  in  the 
straight  road,  the  race  that  is  in- 
corruptible :  and  let  us  in  great 
numbers  pass  unto  it,  and  strive 
that  we  may  receive  the  crown. 
But  and  if  we  cannot  all  be 
crowned,  let  us  come  as  near  to 
it  as  we  are  able. 

12  Moreover,  we  must  consider, 
that  he  who  contends  in  a  cor- 
ruptible combat,  if  he  be  found 
doing  anything  that  is  not  fair,  is 
taken  away  and  scourged,  and 
cast  out  of  the  lists.  What  think 
ye  then  that  he  shall  suffer,  who 
does  anything  that  is  not  fitting 
in  the  combat  of  immortality? 

13  Thus  speaks  the  prophet 
concerning  those  who  keep  not 
their  seal ;  5Their  worm  shall  not 
die,  and  their  fire  shall  not  be 
quenched ;  and  they  shall  be  for 
a  spectacle  unto  all  flesh. 

14  Let  us  therefore  repent, 
whilst  we  are  yet  upon  the  earth  : 
for  we  are  as  clay  in  the  hand  of 
the  artificer.  For  as  the  potter 
if  he  make  a  vessel,  and  it  be 
turned  amiss  in  his  hands,  or 
broken,   again    forms    it   anew ; 

Matt. 


A  fragment 


II.  CLEMENT. 


of  the  Lord's  kingdom. 

>  flesh  as  the  temple  of  God.  For 
I  in  like  manner  as  ye  were  called 
!  in  the  flesh,  ye  shall  also  come  to 
I  judgment  in  the  flesh.  4Our  one 
|  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  has 
1  saved  us,  being  first  a  spirit,  was 
made  flesh,  and  so  called  us ; 
even  so  we  also  shall  in  this 
flesh  receive  the  reward. 

3  Let  us,  therefore,  love  one 
another,  that  we  may  attain  unto 
the  kingdom  of  God.  Whilst  we 
have  time  to  be  healed,  let  us 
deliver  up  ourselves  to  God  our 
physician,  giving  our  reward 
unto  him. 

4.  And  what  reward  shall  we 
give  ? — Repentance  out  of  a  pure 
heart.  For  he  knows  all  things 
before  hand,  and  searches  out  our 
very  hearts. 

5  Let  us,  therefore,  give  praise 
unto  him :  not  only  with  our 
mouths,  but  with  all  our  souls ; 
that  he  may  receive  us  as  child- 
ren. 5For  so  the  Lord  hath 
said;  6They  are  my  brethren, 
who  do  the  will  of  my  father. 

6  ^f  Wherefore,  my  brethren, 
let  us  do  the  will  of  "the  Father, 
who  hath  called  us,  that  we  may 
live.  Let  us  pursue  virtue,  and 
forsake  wickedness,  which  lead- 
eth  us  into  sins ;  and  let  us  flee 
all  ungodliness,  that  evils  over- 
take us  not. 

7  For,  if  we  shall  do  our  dili- 
gence to  live  well,  peace  shall 
follow  us.  7  And  yet  how  hard  is 
it  to  find  a  man  that  does  this  ? 

I  For  almost  all  are  led  by  human 
!  fears,  choosing  rather  the  pre- 
I  sent  enjoyments,  than  the  future 
I  promise. 

8  For  they  know  not  hoAV 
;  great  a  torment  the  present  en- 
tjoyments  bring   with  them;  nor 

what  delights  the  future  promise. 

1  Let  us  repent.  2There.  3Luke  xvi.  10,  12.  4  MS.  Alex,  plane  pic  ex- 
hibit: eic  Xpifof.  6  Vox.  Oeov  non  est  in  MS.  6Matt.  xii.  50.  'For,  for  this 
cause,  we  cannot  find  a  man.     Aliter  Wendel.  in  traduct.  lat  q.  v. 

143 


but  if  he  have  gone  so  far  as  to 
throw  it  into  the  furnace  of  fire, 
he  can  no  more  bring  any  reme- 
dy to  it. 

15  So  we,  whilst  we  are  in  this 
world,  Should  repent  with  our 
whole  heart  for  whatsoever  evil 
we  have  done  in  the  flesh  ;  while 
we  have  yet  the  time  of  repent- 
ance, that  we  may  be  saved  by 
the  Lord. 

16  For  after  we  shall  have 
departed  out  of  this  world,  we 
shall  no  longer  be  able  to  confess 
our  sins  or  repent  2in  the  other. 

17  Wherefore,  brethren,  let  us 
doing  the  will  of  the  Father,  and 
keeping  our  flesh  pure,  and  ob- 
serving the  commandments  of 
the  Lord,  lay  hold  on  eternal 
life:  for  the  Lord  saith  in  the 
gospel,  3If  ye  have  not  kept  that 
which  was  little,  who  will  give 
you  that  which  is  great  ? — For  I 
say  unto  you,  he  that  is  faithful 
in  that  which  is  least,  is  faithful 
also  in  much. 

18  This,  therefore,  is  what  he 
saith ;  keep  your  bodies  pure, 
and  your  seal  without  spot,  that 
ye  may  receive  eternal  life. 

CHAP.  IV. 

1  We  shall  rise,  and  be  judged  in  our 
bodies  ;  therefore  we  must  live  well  in 
them,  6  that  ice  ought,  for  our  own  in- 
terest, to  live  well ;  though  few  seem  to 
mind  what  really  is  for  their  advantage, 
10  and  not  deceive  ourselves:  seeing 
God  will  certainly  judge  us,  and  ren- 
der to  all  of  us  according  to  our  works. 

AND  let  not  any  one  among 
you  say,  that  this  very  flesh 
is  not  judged,  neither  raised  up. 
Consider,  in  what  were  you  saved ; 
in  what  did  you  look  up,  if  not 
whilst  you  were  in  this  flesh. 
2  We  must,  therefore,  keep  our 


A  Fragment. 


II.  CLEMENT.     Of  the  Lord's  kingdom. 


9  And  if  they  themselves  only 
did  this,  it  might  the  more  easily 
be  endured ;  but  now  they  go  on 
to  infect  innocent  souls  with  their 
evil  doctrines ;  not  knowing  that 
both  themselves,  and  those  that 
hear  them,  shall  receive  a  double 
condemnation. 

10  Tf  Let  us,  therefore,  serve 
God  with  a  pure  heart,  and  we 
shall  be  righteous :  but  if  we 
shall  not  serve  him  because  we 
do  not  believe  the  promise  of 
God,  we  shall  be  miserable. 

11  For  thus  saith  the  prophet; 
1  Miserable  are  the  double  minded 
who  doubt  in  their  heart,  and 
say,  these  things  we  have  heard, 
even  in  the  time  of  our  fathers, 
but  we  have  seen  none  of  them, 
though  we  have  expected  them 
from  day  to  day. 

12  O  ye  fools!  compare  your- 
selves to  a  tree;  take  the  vine 
for  an  example.  First  it  sheds 
its  leaves,  then  it  buds,  then 
come  the  sour  grapes,  then  the 
ripe  fruit;  even  so  my  people 
have  borne  its  disorders  and  afflic- 
tions, but  shall  hereafter  receive 
good  things. 

13  Wherefore  my  brethren, 
let  us  not  doubt  in  our  minds, 
but  let  us  expect  with  hope,  that 
we  may  receive  our  reward ;  for 
he  is  faithful,  who  has  promised 
that  he  will  render  to  every  one 
a  reward  according  to  his  works. 

14  If,  therefore,  we  shall  do 
what  is  just  in  the  sight  of  God 
we  shall  enter  into  his  kingdom, 
and  shall  receive  the  promises; 
2  Which  neither  eye  has  seen^nor 
ear  heard,  nor  have  entered  into 
the  heart  of  man. 

15  If  Wherefore  let  us  every 


hour  expect  the  kingdom  of  God 
in  love  and  righteousness ;  be- 
cause we  know  not  the  day  of 
God's  appearing. 

CHAP.  V. 
A  Fragment. 

Of  the  Lord's  kingdom. 

1  *  *  For  the  Lord  himself, 
being  asked  by  a  certain  person, 
When  his  kingdom  should  come? 
answered,  When  two  shall  be 
one,  and  that  which  is  without 
as  that  which  is  within  ;  and  the 
male  with  the  female,  neither 
male  nor  female. 

2  Now  two  are  one.  when  we 
speak  the  truth  to  each  other, 
and  there  is  (without  hypocrisy) 
one  soul  in  two  bodies : 

3  And  that  which  is  without  as 
that  which  is  within ; — He  means 
this :  he  calls  the  soul  that  which 
is  within,  and  the  body  that  which 
is  without.  As  therefore  thy 
body  appears,  so  let  thy  soul  be 
seen  by  its  good  works. 

4  And  the  male  with  the  female 
neither  male  nor  female; — He 
means  this;  he  calls  our  anger 
the  male,  our  concupiscence  the 
female. 

5  When  therefore  a  man  is 
come  to  such  a  pass  that  he  is 
subject  neither  to  the  one  nor 
the  other  of  these  (both  of  which, 
through  the  prevalence  of  cus- 
tom, and  an  evil  education,  cloud 
and  darken  the  reason,) 

6  But  rather,  having  dispelled 
the  mist  arising  from  them,  and 
being  full  of  shame,  shall  by  re- 
pentance have  united  both  his 
soul  and  spirit  in  the  obedience  of 
reason ;  then,  as  Paul  says,  there 
is  in  us  neither  male  nor  female. 


1  See  I.  Clement,  chap.  x. 


nCor.  ii.  9. 


144 


■Sim 
■     Air 


gmm  ?^il 


>  mt=i 


The  GENERAL  EPISTLE  OF  BARNABAS. 

[Barnabas  was  a  companion  and  fellow-preacher  with  Paul.  This  Epistle 
lays  a  greater  claim  to  canonical  authority  than  most  others.  It  has 
been  cited  byClemens  Alexandrinus,  Origen,  Eusebius,  and  Jerome, 
and  many  ancient  Fathers.  Cotelerius  affirms  that  Origen  and  Jerome 
esteemed  it  genuine  and  canonical;  but  Cotelerius  himself  did  not 
believe  it  to  be  either  one  or  the  other ;  on  the  contrary,  he  supposes 
it  was  written  for  the  benefit  of  the  Ebionites  (the  christianized  Jews,) 
who  were  tenacious  of  rites  and  ceremonies.  Bishop  Fell  feared  to  own 
expressly  what  he  seemed  to  be  persuaded  of,  that  it  ought  to  be  treated 
with  the  same  respect  as  several  of  the  books  of  the  present  canon.  Dr. 
Bernard,  Savilian  professor  at  Oxford,  not  only  believed  it  to  be  genu- 
ine, but  that  it  was  read  throughout,  in  the  churches  at  Alexandria,  us 
the  canonical  scriptures  were.  Dodwell  supposed  it  to  have  been  pub- 
lished before  the  Epistle  of  Jude,  and  the  writings  of  both  the  Johns. 
Vossius,  Dupuis,  Dr.  Cane,  Dr.  Mill,  Dr.  S.  Clark,  Winston,  and  Arch- 
bishop Wake  also  esteemed  it  genuine:  Menardus,  Archbishop  Laud, 
Spanheim,  and  others,  deemed  it  apocryphal.] 


CHAP.  I. 

Preface  to  the  Epistle. 

ALL  happiness  to  you  my 
sons  and  daughters,  in  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  loved  us,  in  peace. 

2  Having  perceived  abun- 
dance of  knowledge  of  the  great 
and  l  excellent  *  laws  of  God  to 
be  in  you,  I  exceedingly  rejoice 
in  your  blessed  and  admirable 
8  souls,  because  ye  have  so  wor- 
thily received  the  grace  which 
was  4  grafted  in  you. 

3  For  which  cause  I  am  full 
of  joy,  hoping  the  rather  to  be 
5  saved  ;  inasmuch  as  I  truly  see 
a  spirit  infused  into  you,  from 
the  6  pure  fountain  of  God : 

4  Having  this  persuasion,  and 
being  fully  convinced  thereof, 
because  that  since  I  have  begun 
to  speak  unto  you,  I  have  had  a 
more  than  ordinary  good  success 
in  the  way  of  7the  law  of  the 
Lord  which  is  in  Christ. 


5  For  which  cause  8  brethren, 
I  also  think  verily  that  I  love 
you  above  my  own  soul :  because 
that  therein  dwelleth  the  great- 
ness of  faith  and  charity,  as  also , 
the  hope  of  that  life  which  is  to 
come. 

6  "Wherefore  considering  this, 
that  if  I  shall  take  care  to  com- 
municate to  you  a  part  of  what 

I  have  received,  it  shall  turn  to 
my  reward,  e  that  I  have  served 
such  good  souls ;  I  gave  diligence 
to  write  in  a  few  words  unto 
you;  that  together  with  your 
faith,  "knowledge  also  may  be 
perfect. 

7  There   are   therefore   three 

II  things  ordained  by  the  Lord  ;; 
the  hope  of  life ;  12  the  beginning 
and  the  completion  of  it. 

8  For  the  Lord  hath  both 
declared  unto  us,  by  the  pro- 
phets those  things  that  13are  past ; 
and  "opened  to  us  the  beginnings 
of  those  that  are  to  come. 


'  Honestarum.  2  iEquitatum,  AtKatuuaruv,  righteous  judgments.  3  Spiri- 
tibus,  Disposition.  4  Natural,  Gr.  e/^vrov.  See  chap.  xix.  i^vrov  ihpsav 
(hdaxnc;  which  the  Lat.  Int.  renders,  Naturale  dnnuru  Doctrinse.  Comp. 
Jam.  i.  21.  5  Liberari :  Gr.  at  videtur  owdt/vai.  6  Honesto  from  the  Gr. 
kuXtjc.  'Comp.  Psalm  119,  33,  viz.  either  by  preaching  or  fulfilling  the  same. 
8  Vid  Annot.  Vos.  in  loc  9  Talibus  spiritibus  servienti.  Usser.  i°  Tvumc.. 
11  Aoy/xara  kv/hov,  Constitutions  of  the  Lord.  12  Viz.  faith  and  Charity.  See 
before.  13  Namely,  which  we  are  to  believe.  u  That  is,  which  are  to  be- 
hoped  for,  and  end  in  love. 

10  145 


Preface 


BARNABAS. 


continued. 


9  Wherefore,  it  will  behoove 
us,  *  as  he  has  spoken,  to  come 
amore  holily,  and  nearer  to  his 
altar. 

10  I  therefore,  not  as  a  teach- 
er, but  as  one  3  of  you,  will  en- 
deavour to  lay  before  you  a  few 
things  by  which  you  may,  on 
*many  accounts,  become  the  more 
ioyful. 

CHAP.  II. 

That  God  has  abolished  the  legal,  sacri- 
fices to  introduce  the  spiritual  right- 
eousness of  the  Gospel. 
SEEING  then  the  days  are  ex- 
ceeding evil,  and  the  adver- 
sary has  got  the  power  of  this 
present  5  world  we  ought  to  give 
the  more  diligence  to  inquire 
into  the  6  righteous  judgments  of 
the  Lord. 

2  7  Now  the  assistants  of  our 
faith  are  fear  and  patience  ;  our 
fellow-combatants,  long-suffering 
and  continence. 

3  Whilst  these  remain  pure 
in  what  relates  unto  the  Lord, 
wisdom,  and  understanding,  and 
science,  and  knowledge,  rejoice 
together  with  them. 

4  For  God  has  manifested  to 
us  by  all  the  prophets,  that  he 
has  no  occasion  for  our  sacrifices, 
or  burnt-offerings,  or  oblations : 
.saying  thus  ;  8  To  what  purpose 
is  the  multitude  of  your  sacrifices 
unto  me,  saith  the  Lord. 

5  I  am  full  of  the  burnt-offer- 
ings of  rams,  and  the  fat  of 9  fed 
beasts ;  and  I  delight  not  in  the 
blood  of  bullocks,  or  of  he-goats. 

6  10  When  ye  come  to  appear 
before  me ;  who  hath  required 
this  at  your  hands?  Ye  shall 
no  more  tread  my  courts. 

7  Bring  no  more  vain  obla- 


tions, incense  is  an  abomination 
unto  me ;  your  new  moons  and 
sabbaths;  the  calling  of  assem- 
blies I  cannot  away  with,  it  is 
iniquity,  even  the  solemn  meet- 
ing ;  your  new  moons  and  your 
appointed  feasts  my  soul  hateth. 

8  These  things  therefore  hath 
God  abolished,  that  the  new  law 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which 
is  without  the  yoke  of  any  such 
necessity,  might  have  the  spirit- 
ual offering  of  men  themselves. 

9  For  so  the  Lord  saith  again 
to  those  heretofore ;  u  Did  I  at 
all  command  your  fathers  when 
they  came  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt  concerning  burnt-offer- 
ings of  sacrifices  ? 

10  But  this  I  commanded 
them,  saying,  12  Let  none  of  you 
imagine  evil  in  your  hearts 
against  his  neighbour,  and  love 
no  false  oath. 

11  Forasmuch  then  as  we  are 
not  without  understanding,  we 
ought  to  apprehend  the  design 
13  of  our  merciful  Father.  For 
he  speaks  to  us,  being  willing 
that  we  who  have  been  in  the 
same  error  about  the  sacrifices, 
should  seek  and  find  how  to 
approach  unto  him. 

12  And  therefore  he  thus  be- 
speaks us,  u  The  sacrifice  of  God 
(is  a  broken  spirit,)  a  broken  and 
contrite  heartGod  will  not  despise. 

13  Wherefore  brethren,  we 
ought  the  more  diligently  to  in- 
quire after  those  things  that  be- 
long to  our  salvation,  that  the 
adversary  may  not  have  any  en- 
trance into  us,  and  deprive  us 
of  our  spiritual  life. 

14  Wherefore  he  again  speak- 
eth   to   them,  concerning  these 


1  Given  as  to  know.     2  Honestins  et  Altius:  the  more  honestly  and  highly. 

3  Like  yourselves.     *  In  many  things.      5As;e.      6  Equitus.      7  Comp.  Grsee. 

Clem.    Alex.     8  Isaiah  i.   11.     9  Lamhs.     10  Isaiah,  i.  12,  13,  14.     »  Jer.  vii. 

22,  23.        12  Zech.  viii.  17.     13  Of  the  mercy  of  Our  Father.      "  Psalm  i.  19. 

146 


Prophecies  in  Daniel        BARNABAS.         concerning  Christ,  &c. 

things ;  '  Ye  shall  not  fast  as  ye 
do  this  day,  to  make  your  voice 
to  be  heard  on  high. 

15  Is  it  such  a  fast  that  I  have 
chosen  ?  a  day  for  a  man  to  afflict 
his  soul  ?  2  Is  it  to  bow  down  his 
head  like  a  bulrush,  and  to  spread 
sackcloth  and  ashes  under  him  ? 
Wilt  thou  call  this  a  fast,  and  an 
acceptable  day  to  the  Lord  ? 

16  But  to  us  he  saith  on  this  wise. 
3  Is  not  this  the  fast  that  I  have 
chosen,  to  loose  the  bands  of  wick- 
edness, to  undo  the  heavy  burdens, 
and  to  let  the  oppressed  go  free; 
and  that  ye  break  every  yoke  ? 

17  *  Is  it  not  to  deal  thy  bread 
to  the  hungry,  and  that  thou 
bring  the  poor  that  are  cast  out 
to  thy  house  ?  When  thou  seest 
the  naked  that  thou  cover  him, 
and  that  thou  hide  not  thyself 
from  thine  own  flesh. 

18  5  Then  shall  thy  light  break 
forth  as  the  morning,  and  thy 
health  shall  spring  forth  speed- 
ily; and  thy  righteousness  shall 
go  before  thee,  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  shall  be  thy  reward. 

19  6  Then  shalt  thou  call  and 
the  Lord  shall  answer  ;  thou  shalt 
cry  and  he  shall  say,  Here  I  am. 
If  thou  put  away  from  the  midst 
of  thee  the  yoke,  the  putting 
forth  of  the  finger,  and  speaking 
vanity ;  7  and  if  thou  draw  out 
thy  soul  to  the  hungry  ;  and  sat- 
isfy the  afflicted  soul. 

20  In  this  therefore  brethren, 
God  has  manifested  his  8  fore- 
knowledge and  love  for  us ;  be- 
cause the  people  which  he  has 
purchased  to  his  beloved  Son  were 
to  believe  in  9  sincerity  ;  and 
therefore  he  has  shewn  these 
things  to  all  of  us,  that  we  should 
not  run  as  proselytes  to  10  the 
Jewish  law. 


CHAP.  III. 

The  prophecies  of  Daniel,  concerning  the 
ten  kings,  and  the  coming  of  Christ. 

WHEREFORE  it  is  neces- 
sary that  searching  dili- 
gently into  those  u  things  which 
are  near  to  come  to  pass,  we 
should  write  to  you  what  may 
serve  to  keep  you  whole. 

2  To  which  end  let  us  flee  from 
every  evil  work  and  hate  the 
errors  of  the  present  time,  that 
we  may  be  u  happy  in  that  \\  hich 
is  to  come : 

3  Let  us  not  give  ourselves  the 
liberty  of  disputing  with  the 
wicked  and  sinners  ;  lest  we 
should  chance  in  time  to  become 
like  unto  them. 

4  For  the  consummation  of13 
sin  is  come,  as  it  is  written,  as 
the  prophet  Daniel  says.  And 
for  this  end  the  Lord  hath  short- 
ened the  times  and  the  days, 
that  his  beloved  might  hasten  hie 
coming  to  his  inheritance. 

5  For  so  the  prophet  speaks ; 
w  There  shall  ten  kings  reign 
in  the  heart,  and  there  shall  rise 
last  of  all  another  little  one,  and 
he  shall  humble  three  kings. 

6  And  again  Daniel  speaks  in 
like  manner  concerning  the  king- 
doms ;  15  and  I  saw  the  fourth 
beast  dreadful  and  terrible,  and 
strong  exceedingly ;  and  it  had 
ten  horns.  :6 1  considered  the 
horns,  and  behold  there  came  up 
among  them  another  little  horn, 
before  which  were  three  of  the 
first  horns  plucked  up  by  the 
roots. 

7  We  ought  therefore  to  under- 
stand this  also  :  And  I  beseech 
you  as  one  of  your  own  brethren, 
loving  you  all  beyond  my  own 
life,  that  you  look  well  to  your- 
selves, and  be  not  like  to  those  who 

1  Isa.  lviii.  4.  2V.  5.  3V.  6.  *V.  7.  5V.  8.  «V.  9.  'V.  10.  8  Provi- 
dence. 9 Simplicity.  10 Their.  "Histantibus:  read  Instantibns.  "Beloved. 
13  Temptation.  Dan.  ix.     M  Dan.  vii.     15  V.  7.     16  V.  8.     "  Heap  up  sins. 

147 


That  Christ  was 


BARNABAS. 


to  suffer,  provt 


1  add  sin  to  sin,  and  say :  That 
their  covenant  is  ours  also.  Nay, 
but  it  is  ours  only :  for  they  have 
for  ever  lost  that  which  Moses 
received. 

8  For  thus  saith  the  Scrip- 
ture :  And  Moses  continued  fast- 
ing forty  days  and  forty  nights 
in  the  Mount;  and  he  received 
the  covenant  from  the  Lord,  even 
the  two  tables  of  stone,  written 
by  the  hand  of  God. 

9  But  having  turned  them- 
selves to  idols  they  lost  it ;  as  the 
Lord  also  said  to  Moses  ;  Moses, 
*  go  down  quickly,  for  thy  people 
which  thou  hast  brought  forth 
out  of  Egypt,  have  corrupted 
themselves,  and  turned  aside 
from  the  way  which  I  command- 
ed them.  3  And  Moses  cast  the 
two  tables  out  of  his  hands :  and 
their  covenant  was  broken;  that 
the  love  of  Jesus  might  be  sealed 
in  your  hearts,  unto  the  hope  of 
his  faith. 

10  Wherefore  let  us  give  heed 
unto  the  last  times.     For  all  the 

4  time  past  of  our  life,  and  our 
faith  will  profit  us  nothing  ;  un- 
less we  continue  to  hate  what  is 
evil,  and  to  withstand  the  future 
temptations.  So  the  Son  of  God 
tells  us ;  Let  us  resist  all  iniquity 
and  hate  it. 

11  Wherefore  consider  the 
works  of  the  evil  way.  5  Do  not 
withdraw  yourselves  from  others, 
as  if  you  were  already  justified ; 
but  coming  altogether  into  one 
place,  inquire  what  is  agreeable 
to  and  profitable  for  the  beloved 
of  God.  For  the  Scripture  saith ; 
6  Wo  unto  them  that  are  wise  in 
their  own  eyes,  and  prudent  in 
their  sight. 

12  Let  us  become  spiritual,  a 
perfect  temple  to  God.  As  much 

1  Exod.  xxxi   xxxiv.     2  Exod.  xxxvii.  7.  Deut.  ix.  12, 

5  Heb.  x.  25.  6  Vid.  Gr.  Clem.  Alex.  Isa.  v.,  21. 
8  Matt.  xxii.  14.        9Isa.  lii.  5-7. 

148 


as  in  us  lies  let  us  meditate  upon 
the  fear  of  God  ;  and  strive  to 
the  utmost  of  our  power  to  keep 
his  commandments  ;  that  we  may 
rejoice  in  his  righteous  judg- 
ments. 

13  For  God  will  judge  the 
world  without  respect  of  persons : 
and  every  one  shall  receive  ac- 
cording to  his  works. 

14  If  a  man  shall  be  good,  his 
righteousness  shall  go  before  him ; 
if  wicked,  the  reward  of  his 
wickedness  shall  follow  him. 

15  Take  heed  therefore  lest 
sitting  still,  now  that  we  are  call- 
ed, we  fall  asleep  in  our  sins ; 
and  the  wicked  one  getting  the 
dominion  over  us,  stir  us  up, 7 
and  shut  us  out  of  the  kingdom 
of  the  Lord. 

16  Consider  this  also:  although 
you  have  seen  so  great  signs  and 
wonders  done  among  the  people 
of  the  Jews,  yet  this  notwith- 
standing the  Lord  hath  forsaken 
them. 

17  Beware  therefore,  lest  it 
happen  to  us ;  as  it  is  written. 

8  There  may  be  many  called,  but 
few  chosen. 

CHAP.   IV. 

That  Christ  was  to  suffer:  proved  from 
the  prophecies  concerning  him. 

FOR  this  cause  did  our  Lord 
vouchsafe  to  give  up  his  body 
to  destruction,  that  through  the 
forgiveness  of  our  sins  we  might 
be  sanctified ;  that  is,  by  the 
sprinkling  of  his  blood. 

2  Now  for  what  concerns  the 
things  that  are  written  about 
him,  some  belong  to  the  people 
of  the  Jews,  and  some  to  us. 

3  For  thus  saith  the  Scripture  : 

9  He  was  wounded  for  our  trans- 
gressions, he  was  bruised  for  our 
iniquities,  and  by  his  blood  we  are 

3V.  19.      4Davs. 
Matt.  xxv.  7— 10. 


from  prophecies 


BARNABAS. 


concerning  him. 


healed.  He  was  led  as  a  lamb  to 
the  slaughter,  and  as  a  sheep  be- 
fore his  shearers  is  dumb,  so  he 
opened  not  his  mouth. 

4  Wherefore  we  ought  the 
more  to  give  thanks  unto  God, 
for  that  he  hath  both  declared 
unto  us  what  is  passed,  '  and  not 
suffered  us  to  be  without  under- 
standing of  those  things  that  are 
to  come. 

5  But  to  them  he  saith ;  2  The 
nests  are  not  unjustly  spread  for 
the  birds. 

6  This  he  spake,  because  a 
man  will  justly  perish,  if  having 
the  knowledge  of  the  way  of 
truth,  he  shall  nevertheless  not 
refrain  himself  from  the  way  of 
darkness. 

7  And  for  this  cause  the  Lord 
was  content  to  suffer  for  our 
souls,  although  he  be  the  Lord 
of  the  whole  earth;  to  whom 
God  said  before  the  beginning 
of  the  world,  3  Let  us  make  man 
after  our  own  image  and  likeness. 

8  Now  how  he  suffered  for 
us,  seeing  it  was  by  men  that  he 
underwent  it,  4 1  will  shew  you. 

9  The  prophets  having  receiv- 
ed from  him  the  gift  of  prophecy, 
spake  before  concerning  him  : 

10  But  he,  that  he  might  abo- 
lish death,  and  make  known  the 
resurrection  from  the  dead,  was 
content,  as  it  was  necessary,  to 
appear  in  the  flesh,  that  he  might 
make  good  the  promise  before 
given  to  our  fathers,  and  pre- 
paring himself  a  new  people, 
might  demonstrate  to  them  whilst 
he  was  upon  earth,  that  after 
the  resurrection  he  would  judge 
the  world. 

11  And  finally  teaching  the 
people  of  Israel,  and  doing  many 
wonders  and  signs  among  them, 


he  preached  to  them,  and  shewed 
the  exceeding  great  love  which 
he  bare  towards  them. 

12  And  when  he  chose  his 
apostles,  which  were  afterwards 
to  publish  his  Gospel,  he  took 
men  who  had  been  very  great 
sinners ;  that  thereby  he  might 
plainly  shew,5  That  he  came  not 
to  call  the  righteous  but  sinners 
to  repentance. 

13  Then  he  clearly  manifested 
himself  to  be  the  Son  of  God. 
For  had  he  not  come  in  the 
flesh,  how  should  men  have  been 
able  to  look  upon  him,  that  they 
might  be  saved  ? 

14  Seeing  if  they  beheld  only 
the  sun,  which  was  the  work  of 
his  hands,  and  shall  hereafter 
cease  to  be,  they  are  not  able  to 
endure  steadfastly  to  look  against 
the  rays  of  it. 

15  Wherefore  the  Son  of  God 
came  in  the  flesh  for  this  cause, 
that  he  might  fill  up  the  measure 
of  their  iniquity,  who  have  per- 
secuted his  prophets  unto  death. 
And  for  the  same  reason  also  he 
suffered. 

16  For  God  hath  said  of  the 
6  stripes  of  his  flesh,  that  they 
were  from  them.  And,  7I  will 
smite  the  shepherd,  and  the  sheep 
of  the  flock  shall  be  scattered. 

17  Thus  he  would  suffer,  he- 
cause  it  behooved  him  to  suffer 
upon  the  cross. 

18  For  thus  one  saith,  prophe- 
sying concerning  him  ;  8  Spare 
my  soul  from  the  sword.  And 
again,  Pierce  my  flesh  from  thy 
fear. 

19  And  again,  the  congrega- 
tion of  wicked  doers  rose  up 
against  me,  '  (They  have  pierced 
my  hands  and  my  feet). 

20  And  again  he  saith,  I  gave 


1  Vid.  Ed.  Ox.,  p.  21.  2  Prov.  i.  17.  3  Gen.  i.  26.  *  Learn.  6  Matt.  ix. 
13.  6  Namely,  from  the  Jews-  7  Zach.  xiii.  6,  7.  8  According  to  the  i,xx. 
Psalm   xxii.  20.     Psalm  cxix.  120.     Psalm  xxii.   10,  17.     9  These   words 

149 


Prophecies  concerning        BARNABAS. 


Christ's  sufferings. 


iny  back  to   the  smiters,  l  and 
my  face  I  set  as  an  hard  rock. 

CHAP.  V. 

The  subject  continued. 

AND  when   he  had   fulfilled 
the  commandment  of  God, 
What  says  he  ?    2  Who  will  con 


tend  with 


Let  him  stand 


against  me:  or  who  is  he  that 
will  implead  me  ?  Let  him  draw 
near  to  the  servant  of  the  Lord. 
Wo  be  to  you !  3  Because  ye 
shall  all  wax  old  as  a  garment, 
the  moth  shall  eat  you  up. 

2  And  again  the  prophet  adds, 
4  He  is  put  for  a  stone  for  stum- 
bling. 5  Behold  I  lay  in  Zion 
for  a  foundation,  a  precious 
stone,  a  choice  corner  stone ;  an 
honourable  stone.  And  what 
follows  ?  And  he  that  hopeth 
in  him  shall  live  for  ever. 

3  What  then?  Is  our  hope 
built  upon  a  stone  ?  God  forbid. 
But  because  the  Lord  hath  "har- 
dened his  flesh  against  sufferings, 
he  saith,  7 1  have  put  me  as  a 
rirm  rock. 

4  And  again  the  prophet  adds; 
8  The  stone  which  the  builders 
refused  has  become  the  head  of 
the  corner.  And  again  he  saith ; 
"This  is  the  great  and  wonderful 
day  which  the  Lord  hath  made. 
10  f  write  these  things  the  more 
plainly  to  you  that  ye  may  un- 
derstand :  u  For  indeed  I  could 
be  content  even  to  die  for  your 
sakes. 

5  But  what  saith  the  prophet 
again  ?     u  The   counsel   of    the 


wicked  encompassed  me  about. 
13  They  came  about  me,  as  bees 
about  the  honey-comb :  and, 
"Upon  my  vesture  they  cast  lots. 
6  Forasmuch  then  as  our 
Saviour  was  to  appear  in  the 
flesh  and  suffer,  his  passion  was 
hereby  foretold. 

7  For  thus  saith  the  prophet 
against  Israel :  ^  Wo  be  to  their 
soul,  because  they  have  taken 
wicked  counsel  against  them- 
selves, saying,  let  us  16  lay  snares 
for  the  righteous,  because  he  is 
unprofitable  to  us. 

8  Moses  also  in  like  manner 
speaketh  to  them;  "Behold  thus 
saith  the  Lord  God  ;  Enter  ye 
into  the  good  land  of  which  the 
Lord  hath  sworn  to  Abraham, 
and  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  that  he 
would  give  it  you,  and  possess 
it;  a  land  flowing  with  milk 
and  honey. 

9  Now  what  the  spiritual 
meaning  of  this  is,  learn  ;  18  It  is 
as  if  it  had  been  said,  Put  your 
trust  in  Jesus,  who  shall  be  ma- 
nifested to  you  in  the  flesh.  For 
man  is  the  earth  which  suffers : 
forasmuch  as  out  of  the  19  sub- 
stance of  the  earth  Adam  was 
formed. 

10  What  therefore  does  he 
mean  when  he  says,  Into  a  good 
land  flowing  with  milk  and 
honey?  Blessed  be  our  Lord, 
who  has  given  us  wisdom,  and  a 
heart  to  understand  his  secrets. 
For  so  says  the  prophet, 20  Who 
shall  understand  the  hard  say- 
ings of  the  Lord  ?   21  But  he  that 


were  doubtless  cited  thus  by  Barnabas,  because  that  without  them,  those 
foregoing  do  not  prove  the  Crucifixion  of  Christ.  But  through  the  repetition 
of  the  same  preposition,  this  latter  part  was  so  early  omitted,  that  it  was  not 
in  the  Latin  interpreter's  copy.  x  Isaiah  1.  6.  3  Isa.  1.  8,  9- 

3  Rep.  In.         i  Isa.  viii.  14.  5  Isa.  xxviii.  16.         6  Gr.  put  in  strength, 

or  strengthened.  »  Isa.   1.  7.  8  Ps.   cxviii.   22.        9  V.  24.    Clem. 

Alex.  Strom,  v.  10  This  is  not  in  the  Old  Latin  Version.  "  Vid.  Ed.  Ox„ 
p.  29,  a.  TTEpiiji?ifia  ttjq  ayanrjc  v/iuv.  12  Ps.  xxii.  16.  I3  Ps.  cxviii.  12.  w  Ps. 
xxii.  18.  15  Is.  Hi.  9.  16  Bind.  «  Exod.  xxxiii.  1.  ,8  Vid.  Cot.  An.  Mar?. 
ex  Clem.  Alex.  19  rrpoauirov.  20  Osee,  xiv.  ult.  *  Prov.  i.  6.  Ec.  i.  10. 
150 


The  scape-goat 


BARNABAS. 


typical  of  Christ. 


is  wise,  and  intelligent,  and  that 
loves  his  Lord. 

1 1  Seeing  therefore  he  has  re- 
newed us  by  the  remission  of  our 
sins,  he  has  1  put  us  into  another 
frame,  that  we  should  have  souls 
2 like  those  of  children,  forming 
us  again  himself  3  by  the  spirit. 

12  For  thus  the  Scripture 
saith  concerning  us,  *  where  it 
introduceth  the  Father  speaking 
to  the  Son  ;  5  Let  us  make  man 
after  our  likeness  and  similitude  ; 
and  let  them  have  dominion  over 
the  beasts  of  the  earth,  and  over 
the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  the  fish 
of  the  sea. 

13  And  when  the  Lord  saw  the 
man  which  he  had  formed,  that 
behold  he  was  very  good ;  he  said, 
6  Increase  and  multiply,  and  re- 
plenish the  earth.  And  this  he 
spake  to  his  son. 

14  I  will  now  shew  you,  how 
he  made  us 7  a  new  creature,  in 
the  latter  days. 

15  The  Lord  saith  ; 8  Behold  I 
will  make  the  last  as  the  first. 
Wherefore  the  prophet  thus 
spake, 9  Enter  into  the  land  flow- 
ing with  milk  and  honey,  and 
have  dominion  over  it. 

16  Wherefore  ye  see  how  we 
are  again  formed  anew  ;  as  also 
he  speaks  by  another  prophet ; 
10  Behold  saith  the  Lord,  I  will 
take  from  them,  that  is,  from 
those  whom  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord  foresaw,  their  hearts  of 
stone,  and  I  will  put  into  them 
hearts  of  flesh. 

17  Because  he  was  about  to 
be  made  manifest  in  the  flesh  and 
to  dwell  in  us. 

18  For,  my  brethren,  the 
habitation  of  our  heart  is  a  u 
holy  temple  unto  the  Lord.    For 


the  Lord  Bftith  again.  "  In  what 
place  shall  I  appear  before  tho 
Lord  my  God,  and  be  glorified  ? 

19  He  answers  I  will  confess 
unto  thee  in  the  congregation  in 
the  midst  of  my  brethren  ;  and 
will  sing  unto  thee  in  the  church 
of  the  saints. 

20  Wherefore  we  are  they 
whom  he  has  brought  into  that 
good  land. 

21  l3But  what  signifies  the  milk 
and  honey  ?  Because  as  the  child 
is  nourished  first  with  milk,  and 
then  with  honey ;  so  we  being 
kept  alive  by  the  belief  of  his 
promises,  and  his  word,  shall  live 
and  have  dominion  over  the 
land. 

22  For  he  foretold  above,  say- 
ing, increase  and  multiply,  and 
have  dominion  over  the  fishes, 
etc. 

23  But  who  is  there  that  is 
now  able  to  have  this  dominion 
over  the  wild  beasts,  or  fishes,  or 
fowls  of  the  air  ?  For  you  know 
that  to  rule  is  to  have  power, 
that  a  man  should  be  set  over 
what  he  rules. 

24  But  forasmuch  as  this  we 
have  not  now,  he  tells  us  when 
we  shall  have  it ;  namely,  when 
we  shall  become  perfect,  that  we 
may  be  made  the  inheritors  of 
the  covenant  of  the  Lord. 

CHAP.  VI. 

The  scape-goat  an  evident  type  of  this. 

UNDERSTAND  then  my  be- 
loved children,  that  the  good 
God  hath  before  manifested  all 
things  unto  us,  that  we  might 
know  to  whom  we  ought  always 
to  give  thanks  and  praise. 

2  If  therefore  the  Son  of  God 
who  is  the  Lord  of  all,  and  shall 


1  Gr.  made  us  another  form.  *  Vid.  Ed.  Ox.,  p.  30,  b.  •  Vid.  Vet.  Lat 
In.  *  As  he  saith  to  the  Son.  «Gen.  i.  26,  Ac.  6  Gen.  i  28.  » Gr.  a  second 
formation.  »Isa.  xliii.  18, 19,&c.  9Heb.iii.  »°  Ezek.  xi.  19.  "So  St.  Paul, 
1  Cor.  iii.  16,  17.      12  Ps.  xlii.  2.      13  Jer.  xxxh.  22. 

151 


Tlie  scape-goat 


BARNABAS. 


typical  of  Christ. 


come  to  judge  both  the  quick  and 
dead,  hath  suffered,  that  by  his 
stripes  we  might  live :  let  us  be- 
lieve that  the  Son  of  God  could 
not  have  suffered  but  for  us.  But 
being  crucified,  they  gave  him 
vinegar  and  gall  to  drink. 

3  Hear  therefore  how  the 
priests  of  the  temple  did  foreshew 
this  also :  l  the  Lord  by  his  com- 
mand which  was  written,  declar- 
ed that  whosoever  did  not  fast 
the  appointed  fast  he  *  should  die 
the  death:  because  he  also  was 
himself  one  day  to  offer  up  his  3 
body  for  our  sins ;  that  so  the 
type  of  what  was  done  in  *  Isaac 
might  be  fulfilled,  who  was  of- 
fered upon  the  altar. 

4  What  therefore  is  it  that  he 
says  by  the  prophet?  5And  let 
them  eat  of  the  goat  which  is 
offered  in  the  day  of  the  fast  for 
all  their  sins.  Hearken  diligently 
(my  brethren,)  and  all  the  priests, 
and  they  only  shall  eat  the  in- 
wards not  washed  with  vinegar. 

5  Why  so  ?  because 6 1  know 
that  when  I  shall  hereafter  offer 
my  flesh  for  the  sins  of  a  new 
people,  ye  will  give  me  vinegar 
to  drink  mixed  with  gall;  there- 
fore do  ye  only  eat,  the  people 
fasting  the  while,  and  lamenting 
in  sackcloth  and  ashes. 

6  And  that  he  might  foreshew 
that  he  was  to  suffer  for  them, 
hear  then  how  he  appointed  it. 

7  7  Take,  says  he,  two  goats, 
fair  and  alike,  and  offer  them, 
and  let  the  high  priest  take  one 
of  them  for  a  burnt  offering. 
And  what  must  be  done  with  the 
other  ?  Let  it  says  he  be  accurs- 
ed. 

8  Consider    how   exactly  this 


appears  to  have  been  a  type  of 
Jesus.  8  And  let  all  the  congre- 
gation spit  upon  it,  and  prick  it ; 
and  put  the  scarlet  wool  about  its 
head,  and  thus  let  it  be  carried 
forth  into  the  wilderness. 

9  And  this  being  done,  he  that 
was  appointed  to  convey  the  goat, 
led  it  into  the  wilderness, 9  and 
took  away  the  scarlet  wool,  and 
put  it  upon  a  thorn  bush,  whose 
10  young  sprouts  when  we  find 
them  in  the  field  we  are  wont  to 
eat :  so  the  fruit  of  that  thorn 
only  is  sweet. 

10  And  to  what  end  was  this 
ceremony  ?  Consider  ;  one  was 
offered  upon  the  altar,  the  other 
was  accursed. 

11  And  why  was  that  which 
was  accursed  crowned  ?  Because 
they  shall  see  Christ  in  that  day 
having  a  scarlet  garment  about 
his  body ;  and  shall  say :  Is  not 
this  he  whom  we  crucified;  hav- 
ing despised  him,  pierced  him, 
mocked  him  ?  Certainly,  this  is 
he,  who  then  said,  that  he  was 
the  Son  of  God. 

12  u  As  therefore  he  shall  be 
then  like  to  what  he  was  on  earth, 
so  were  the  Jews  heretofore  com- 
manded, to  take  two  goats  fair 
and  equal.  That  when  they  shall 
see  (our  Saviour)  hereafter  com- 
ing (in  the  clouds  of  heaven), 
they  may  be  amazed  at  the  like- 
ness of  the  goats. 

13  Wherefore 12  ye  here  again 
see  a  type  of  Jesus  who  was  to 
suffer  for  us. 

14  But  what  then  signifies  this. 
That  the  wool  was  to  be  put  into 
the  midst  of  the  thorns  ? 

1 5  This  also  is  a  figure  of  Jesus, 
sent  out  to  the  church.      For  as 


1  In  same  manner  applied  Heb.  ix.  2Lev.  xxiii.  29.  sThe  vessel  of  his 
spirit.  *Gen.  xxii.  5Numb.  xxix.,  &c,  Vic.  Cot.  in  Marg.  et  Annot.  in  loc. 
6  Vid.  Annot.  Cot.  TLevit  xi.  Vid.  Maimon,  tract,  de  die  Exv.  Edit,  du 

Veil,  p.  350,  &c.      8  Vid.  Edit.  Ox.  p.  40   a.  41.  b.      9Vid.  Maim.  ib.  p.  341. 
&c.       10  Vid.  Voss.  in  loc.     "  The  Greek  is  imperfect.     12  Vid.  Lat.  Ver. 
152 


'M  M    f\Jfr 


Christ  typified 


BARNABAS. 


by  the  red  heifer. 


he  who  would  take  away  the 
scarlet  wool  must  undergo  many 
difficulties,  because  that  thorn 
was  very  sharp,  and  with  difficul- 
ty get  it :  *  So  they,  says  Christ, 
that  will  see  me,  and  come  to  my 
kingdom,  must  through  many 
afflictions  and  troubles  attain 
unto  me. 

CHAP.  VII. 

The  red  heifer,  another  type  of  Christ. 

BUT  what 2  type  do  ye  suppose 
it  to  have  been,  where  it  is 
commanded 3  to  the  people  of  Is- 
rael, that  grown  persons  in  whom 
sins  are  come  to  perfection, 
should  offer  an  heifer,  and  after 
they  had  killed  it  should  burn 
the  same. 

2  But  then  young  men  should 
take  up  the  ashes  and  put  them 
in  vessels ;  and  tie  a  piece  of 
scarlet  wool  and  hyssop  upon  a 
stick,  and  so  the  young  men 
should  sprinkle  every  one  of  the 
people,  and  they  should  be  clear 
from  their  sins. 

3  Consider  how  all  these  are 
delivered  in  a  *  figure  to  us. 

4  This  heifer  is  Jesus  Christ; 
the  wicked  men  that  were  to  offer 
it  are  those  sinners  who  brought 
him  to  death:  who  afterwards 
have  no  more  to  do  with  it ;  the 
pinners  have  no  more  the  honour 
of  handling  of  it : 

5  But  the  young  men  that 
performed  the  sprinkling,  signi- 
fied those  who  preach  to  us  the 
forgiveness  of  sins  and  the  puri- 
fication of  the  heart,  to  whom  the 
Lord  gave  authority  to  preach 
his  Gospel :  being  at  the  begin- 
ning twelve,  5to  signify  the 
tribes,  because  there  were  twelve 
tribes  of  Israel. 


6  But  why  were  there  three 
young  men  appointed  to  sprin- 
kle ?  To  denote  Abraham,  and 
Isaac,  and  Jacob,  because  they 
were  great  before  God. 

7  And  why  was  the  wool  put 
upon  a  6stick?  Because  the  king- 
dom of  Jesus  was  founded  upon 
the  cross ;  and  therefore  they 
that  put  their  trust  in  him,  shall 
live  for  ever. 

8  But  why  was  the  wool  and 
hyssop  put  together  ?  To  signify 
that  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
there  shall  be  evil  and  filthy 
days,  in  which  however  we  shall 
be  saved ;  and  7  because  he  that 
has  any  disease  in  the  flesh  by 
some  filthy  humours  is  cured  by 
hyssop. 

9  Wherefore  these  things  be- 
ing thus  done,  are  to  us  indeed 
evident,  but  to  the  8  Jews  they 
are  obscure ;  because  they  heark- 
ened not  unto  the  voice  of  the 
Lord. 

CHAP.  VIII. 

Of  the  circumcision  of  the  ears;  and 
how  in  the  first  institution  of  circum- 
cision Abraham  mystically  foretold 
Christ  by  name. 

AND  therefore  the  Scripture 
again  speaks  concerning  our 
ears,  that  God  has  circumcised 
them,  together  with  our  hearts. 
For  thus  saith  the  Lord  by  the 
holy  prophets  :  9  By  the  hearing 
of  the  ear  they  obeyed  me. 

2  And  again,  10They  who  are 
afar  off,  shall  hear  and  under- 
stand what  things  I  have  done. 
And  again,  u  Circumcise  your 
hearts,  saith  the  Lord. 

3  And  again  he  saith,  12  Hear 
O  Israel!  For  thus  saith  the 
Lord  thy  God.     And  again  the 


1  Acts  xiv.  22.  2  Numb.  xix.  3  That  this  was  also  a  type  of  Christ,  see 
Heb.  ix.  13.  *  Vid.  Vet.  Lat.  Interpr.  Simplicity,  Gr.  5  Gr.  to  testify.  6Wood. 
'  Vid.  Coteler.  in  loc.  8  Them.  9  Septuag.  Psalm  xvii.  45.  10  Isaiah  xxxiii. 
13.      u  Jer.  iv.  4.     "  Jer.  vii.  2. 

153 


Spiritual  meaning 


BARNABAS.         of  clean  and  unclean 


Spirit  of  God  prophesieth,  say-  of  the  covenant  of  Israel  ?    And 

ing :  l  Who  is  there  that  would  even  the  Egyptians  themselves 

live  for  ever,  2let  him  hear  the  are  circumcised, 

voice  of  my  Son.  10  Understand  therefore,  chil- 

4  And  again,  3  Hear,  O  Hea-  dren,  these  things  more  fully, 
ven  and  give  ear  O  Earth  !  Be-  that  Abraham,  who  was  the  first 
cause  the  Lord  has  spoken  these  that  brought  in  circumcision, 
things  for  a  witness.  looking  forward  in  the  Spirit  to 

5  And  again  he  saith  *  Hear  Jesus,  circumcised,  having  re- 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  princes  ceived  the  mystery  of  three  letters, 
of  the  people.  And  again  5  Hear  11  For  the  Scripture  says  that 

0  Children  !  The  voice  of  one  Abraham  circumcised  three  hun- 
crying  in  the  wilderness.  dred  and  eighteen  men  of  his 

6  Wherefore  he  has  circum-  house.  12  But  what  therefore  was 
cised  our  ears  that  we  should  the  mystery  that  was  made 
hear  his  word,  and  believe.    But  known  unto  him  ? 

as  for  that  circumcision,  in  which  12  Mark,  first   the    eighteen, 

the  Jews  trust,  it  is  abolished,  and  next  the  three  hundred.  For 

For  the   circumcision  of  which  the  numeral  letters   of  ten  and 

God  spake,  was  not  of  the  flesh  ;  eight  are  I  H.  And  these  denote 

7  But  they  have  transgressed  Jesus. 

his  commands,  because  the  evil  13  And  because  the  cross  was 

8  one  hath  deceived  them.     For  that  by  which  we  were  to  find 

thus  God  bespeaks  them  ;  T  Thus  grace  ;   therefore  he  adds,  three 

saith  the  Lord  your  God  (Here  hundred  ;  the  note  of  which  is 

1  find  the  new  law)  Sow  not  T  (the  figure  of  his  cross), 
among  thorns ;  but  circumcise  Wherefore  by  two  letters  he  sig- 
yourselves  to  the  Lord  your  God.  nified  Jesus,  and  by  the  third  his 
And  what  doth  he  mean  by  this  cross. 

saying?  Hearken  unto  your  14  He  who  has  put  the  en- 
Lord,  grafted  gift  of  his  doctrine  within 

8  And  again  he  saith,  8  Cir-  us,  knows  that  I  never  taught  to 
cumcise  the  hardness  of  your  any  one  a  more  13  certain  truth ; 
heart,  and  harden  not  your  neck,  but  I  trust  that  ye  are  worthy 
And  again,    9  Behold,  saith  the  of  it. 

Lord,  all  the  nations  are  uncir-  CHAP   IX 

cumcised,    (they  have    not    lost  That  the  commands' of  Moses  concern- 

their  fore-skin)  :  but  this  people  ing  dean   and  unciean  beasts,  &c, 

is  uncircumcised  in  heart.  were    all    designed  for  a   spiritual 

9  But  you  will  say  10the  Jews  signification. 

were   circumcised    for    a    sign.  "OUT  why  did  Moses  say14  Ye 

11  And  so  are  all  the  Syrians  and  ±J  shall  not  eat  of  the  swine, 

Arabians,  and  all  the  idolatrous  neither  the  eagle  nor  the  hawk  ; 

priests  :    but  are  they  therefore  nor  the  crow ;  nor  any  fish  that 

1  Psalms  xxxiii.  xxxiv.  2  Isaiah,  1.  10.  3  Isaiah,  i.  2.  4  Isaiah 
1.  10.  s  Isaiah,  xl.  3.  6  Angel.  7  Jer.  iv.  3,  4.  8  Jer.  iv.  4.  9Deut.  x.  16. 
10  That  people.  u  Vid.  Cot.  in  loc.  conter.  Orig.  ad  Rom  cap.  ii.  25.  u  That 
many  others  of  the  ancient  Fathers  have  concurred  with  him  in  this,  see 
Cot.  in  loc.  Add.  Ennd.  p.  34,  85,  ibid.  Ed.,  &c,  &c  _  ,3  Genuine.  "That 
in  this  he  goes  on  the  received  opinion  of  the  RR.  Vid.  Annot.  Cot.  and  Ed. 

Ox.  in  loc.  Lev.  xi.  Deut.  xiv.  Add.  Ainsworth  on  Lev.  xi.  1,  and  Deut. 
xiv.  4. 

154 


beasts  under  the  • 


BARNABAS. 


law  of  Moses. 


has  not  a  scale  upon  him? — 
answer,  that  in  the  spiritual 
sense,  he  comprehended  three 
doctrines,  that  were  to  be  '  gath- 
ered from  thence. 

2  Besides  which  he  says  to 
them  in  the  book  of  Deuteron- 
omy, And  I  will  give  my  statutes 
unto  this  people.  Wherefore  it 
is  not  the  command  of  God  that 
they  should  not  eat  these  things  ; 
but  Moses  in  the  spirit  spake 
unto  them. 

3  Now  the  sow  he  forbade  them 
to  eat ;  meaning  thus  much  ;  thou 
shalt  not  join  thyself  to  such 
persons  as  are  like  unto  swine  ; 
who  whilst  they  live  in  pleasure, 
forget  their  God  ;  but  when  any 
want  pinches  them,  then  they 
know  the  Lord ;  as  the  sow  when 
she  is  full  knows  not  her  master ; 
but  when  she  is  hungry  she 
makes  a  noise  ;  and  being  again 
fed,  is  silent. 

4  Neither,  says  he,  shalt  thou 
eat  the  eagle,  nor  the  hawk,  nor 
the  kite,  nor  the  crow  ;  that  is 
thou  shalt  not  keep  company 
with  such  kind  of  men  as  know 
not  how  by  their  labour  and 
sweat  to  get  themselves  food : 
but  injuriously  ravish  away  the 
things  of  others ;  and  watch  how 
to  lay  snares  for  them  ;  when  at 
the  same  time  they  appear  to 
live  in  perfect  innocence. 

5  (a  So  these  birds  alone  seek 
not  food  for  themselves,  but)  sit- 
ting idle  seek  how  they  may  eat 
of  the  flesh  others  have  pro- 
vided ;  being  destructive  through 
their  wickedness. 

6  Neither,  says  he,  shalt  thou 
eat  the  lamprey,  nor  the  poly- 
pus, nor  the  cuttle-fish;  that  is, 
thou  shalt  not  be  like  such  men, 
by  using  to  converse  with  them ; 
who  are   altogether   wicked  and 


adjudged  to  death.  For  so 
those  fishes  are  alone  accursed, 
and  wallow  in  the  mire,  norj 
swim  as  other  fishes,  but  tumble 
in  the  dirt  at  the  bottom  of  the 
deep. 

7  But  he  adds,  neither  shalt 
thou  eat  of  the  hare.  To  what 
end? — To  signify  this  to  us; 
Thou  shalt  not  be  an  adulterer ; 
nor  liken  thyself  to  such  persons. 
For  the  hare  every  year  multi- 
plies the  places  of  its  conception ; 
and  so  many  years  as  it  lives,  so 
many  it  has. 

8  Neither  shalt  thou  eat  of  the 
hyena ;  that  is,  again,  be  not  an 
adulterer,  nor  a  corrupter  of 
others ;   neither  be  like  to  such. 


And  wherefores 


-Because  that 


creature  every  year  changes  its 
kind,  and  is  sometimes  male  and 
sometimes  female. 

9  For  which  cause  also  he 
justly  hated  the  weasel ;  to  the 
end  that  they  should  not  be  like 
such  persons  who  with  their 
mouths  commit  wickedness  by 
reason  of  their  uncleanness ;  nor 
join  themselves  with  those  im- 
pure women,  who  with  their 
mouths  commit  wickedness.  Be- 
cause that  animal  conceives  with 
its  mouth. 

10  Moses,  therefore,  speaking 
as  concerning  meats,  delivered 
indeed  three  great  precepts  to 
them  in  the  spiritual  significa- 
tion of  those  commands.  But 
they  according  to  the  desires 
of  the  flesh,  understood  him 
as  if  he  had  only  meant  it  of 
meats. 

11  And  therefore  David  took 
aright  the  knowledge  of  his  three- 
fold command,  saying  in  like 
manner. 

12  Blessed  is  the  man  that 
hath  not  walked  in  the  counsel  of 


In  the  understanding.  Deut.  iv. 


Vid.  antiq.  Lat.  Vers. 
155 


Baptism  and 


BARNABAS. 


the  cross  of  Christ 


the  ungodly ;  as  the  fishes  before 
mentioned  in  the  bottom  of  the 
deep  in  darkness. 

13  Nor  stood  in  the  way  of 
sinners,  as  they  who  seem  to  fear 
the  Lord,  but  yet  sin,  as  the 
sow. 

14  And  hath  not  sat  in  the 
seat  of  the  scorners;  as  those 
birds  who  sit  and  watch  that 
they  may  devour. 

15  Here  you  have  the  law 
concerning  meat  perfectly  set 
forth,  and  according  to  the  true 
knowledge  of  it. 

16  But,  says  Moses,  ye  shall 
eat  all  that  divideth  the  hoof,  and 
cheweth  the  cud.  Signifying 
thereby  such  an  one  as  having 
taken  his  food,  knows  him  that 
nourisheth  him ;  and  resting  upon 
him,  rejoiceth  in  him. 

17  And  in  this  he  spake  well, 
having  respect  to  the  command- 
ment. What,  therefore,  is  it 
that  he  says  ? — That  we  should 
hold  fast  to  them  that  fear  the 
Lord ;  with  those  who  meditate  on 
the  command  of  the  word  which 
they  have  received  in  their  heart ; 
with  those  that  declare  the  right- 
eous judgments  of  the  Lord,  and 
keep  his  commandments; 

18  In  short,  with  those  who 
know  that  to  meditate  is  a  work 
of  pleasure,  and  therefore  exer- 
cise themselves  in  the  word  of 
the  Lord. 

19  But  why  might  they  eat 
those  that  clave  the  hoof? — Be- 
cause the  righteous  liveth  in 
this  present  world;  but  his  ex- 
pectation is  fixed  upon  the  other. 
See,  brethren,  how  admirably 
Moses  commanded  these  things. 

20  But  how  should  we  thus 
know  all  this,  and  understand  it  ? 
We,     therefore,    understanding 


aright  the  commandments,  speak 
as  the  Lord  would  have  us. 
Wherefore  he  has  circumcised  our 
ears  and  our  hearts,  that  we  might 
know  these  things. 

CHAP.  X. 

Baptism  and  the  Cross  of  Christ  fore- 
told in  figures  under  the  law. 

LET  us  now  inquire  whether 
the  Lord  took  care  to 
manifest  anything  beforehand 
concerning  water  and  the  cross. 
2.  Now  for  the  former  of  these, 
it  is  written  to  the  people  of  Is- 
rael how  they  shall  not  receive 
that  baptism  which  brings  to  for- 
giveness of  sins  ;  but  shall  insti- 
tute another  to  themselves  that 
cannot. 

3  For  thus  saith  the  prophet : 
1  Be  astonished,  O  Heaven  !  and 
let  the  earth  tremble  at  it,  be- 
cause this  people  have  done  two 
great  and  wicked  things  ;  they 
have  left  me,  the  fountain  of 
living  water,  and  have  digged 
for  themselves  broken  cisterns, 
that  can  hold  no  water. 

4  Is  my  holy  mountain  a 
2Zion,  a  desolate  wilderness? — 
8  For  ye  shall  be  as  a  young  bird 
when  its  nest  is  taken  away. 

5  And  again  the  prophet  saith, 
4 1  will  go  before  thee,  and  will 
make  plain  the  mountains,  and, 
will  break  the  gates  of  brass,  and 
will  snap  in  sunder  the  bars  of 
iron ;  and  will  give  thee  dark,  and 
hidden,  and  invisible  treasures, 
that  they  may  know  that  I  am. 
the  Lord  God. 

6  And  again  :  He  shall  dwell 
5  in  the  high  den  of  the  strong 
rock.  And  then,  what  follows 
in  the  same  prophet  ?  His  water 
is  faithful ;  ye  shall  see  the  king 


Jeremiah,  ii.   12.     2Vid.  Annot.  Coteler.  and  Ed.  Oxon.  in  loc.    s  Isaiah, 
i.  1,  2.  *  Isaiah  xlv.  2.     'Isaiah,  xxxhi.  16,  17. 
156 


foretold  under 


BARNABAS. 


the  Lw. 


with  glory,  and  your   soul   shall 
learn  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

7  And  again  he  saith  in  ano- 
ther prophet :  He  that  does  these 
things ;  1  shall  be  like  a  tree, 
planted  by  the  currents  of  water, 
which  shall  give  its  fruit  in  its 
season.  Its  leaf  also  shall  not 
wither,  and  whatsoever  he  doth 
it  shall  prosper. 

8  As  for  the  wicked  it  is  not 
so  with  them ;  but  they  are  as 
the  dust  which  the  wind  scatter- 
eth  away  from  the  face  of  the 
earth. 

9  Therefore  the  ungodly  shall 
not  stand  in  the  judgment, 
neither  the  sinners  in  the  council 
of  the  righteous.  For  the  Lord 
knoweth  the  way  of  the  right- 
eous and  the  way  of  the  ungod- 
ly shall  perish. 

10  Consider  how  he  has  joined 
both  the  cross  and  the  water  to- 
gether. 

1 1  For  thus  he  saith :  Blessed 
are  they  who  put  their  trust  in 
the  cross,  descend  into  the  water ; 
for  they  shall  have  their  reward 
in  due  time ;  then,  saith  he,  will 
I  give  it  them. 

12  But  as  concerning  the  pre- 
sent time,  he  saith,  their  leaves 
shall  not  fall ;  meaning  thereby 
that  every  word  that  shall  go  out 
of  your    mouth,   shall    through 

,  faith  and  charity  be  to  the  con- 
version and  hope  of  many. 

13  In  like  manner  doth  an- 
other prophet  speak.  2  And  the 
land  of  Jacob  was  the  praise  of 
all  the  earth  ; 3  magnifying  there- 
by 4  the  vessel  of  his  spirit. 

14  And, what  follows? — And 
there  was  a  river  running  on  the 
right  hand,  and  beautiful  trees 


grew  up  by  it ;  and  he  that  shall 
eat  of  them  shall  live  for  ever. 
The  signification  of  which  is 
this :  that  we  go  down  into  the  wa- 
ter full  of  sins  and  pollutions ;  but 
come  up  again,  bringing  forth 
fruit ;  having  in  our  hearts  the 
fear  and  hope  which  is  in  Jesus, 
by  the  spirit.  And  whosoever 
shall  eat  of  them  shall  live  for 
ever. 

15  That  is,  whosoever  shall 
hearken  to  those  who  call  them, 
and  shall  believe,  shall  live  for 
ever. 

CHAP.  XL 

The  subject  continued. 

IN  like  manner  he  determines 
concerning  the  cross  in  5  ano- 
ther prophet,  saying :  And  when 
shall  these  things  be  fulfilled  ? 

2  The  Lord  answers ;  When 
the  tree  that  has  fallen  shall 
rise,  and  when  blood  shall  drop 
down  from  the  tree.  Here  you 
have  again  mention  made,  both 
of  the  cross,  and  of  him  that  was 
to  be  crucified  upon  it. 

3  6  And  yet  farther  he  saith 
by  Moses;  (when  Israel  was 
fighting  with,  and  beaten  by,  a 
strange  people  ;  to  the  end  that 
God  might  put 7  them  in  mind 
how  that  for  their  sins  they 
were  delivered  unto  death)  yea, 
the  holy  spirit  put  it  into  the 
heart  of  Moses,  to  represent  both 
the  sign  of  the  cross,  and  of  him 
that  was  to  suffer  ;  that  so  they 
might  know  that  if  they  did  not 
believe  in  him,  they  should  be 
overcome  for  ever. 

4  Moses  therefore  8  piled  up 
armour  upon  armour  in  the  mid- 
dle   of    a   rising     ground,   and 


1  Psalm,  i.  2Zeph.  iii.  19.  3  For  tovto  Tayet  and  o,  the  Old  Interpreter  did 
not  read  ;  and  Clemens  Alex.  lib.  iii.  Strom,  p.  463,  transcribing  this  passage 
hath  them  not.  4i.  e.,  the  body  of  Christ.  5Vid.  Conject.  Edit.  Oxon. 
Coinp.  iv.  Esdr.  v.  4,  et  Obs.  Cotel.  in  loc.  6See  St.  Hier.  in  like  manner. 
Ann'ot,  D.  Bernard,  p.  124,  Edit  Oxon.  Exod.  xvii.  7That  were  so  beaten. 
8  Again  set  them  in  array,  being  armed.  Lat   Vera.  157 


God's  promises 


BARNABAS. 


made  to. 


standing  up  high  above  all  of 
them,  stretched  forth  his  arms, 
and  so  Israel  again  conquered. 

5  But  no  sooner  did  he  let 
down  his  hands,  but  they  were 
again  slain.  And  why  so  ? — To 
the  end  they  might  know,  that 
except  they  trust  in  him  they 
cannot  be  saved. 

t>  And  in  another  prophet,  he 
saith,  *I  have  stretched  out  my 
hands  all  the  day  long  to  a  peo- 
ple disobedient,  and  speaking 
against  my  righteous  way. 

7  And  again  Moses  makes  a 
2  type  of  Jesus,  to  show  that  he 
was  to  die,  and  then  that  he, 
whom  they  thought  to  be  dead, 
was  to  give  life  to  others  ;  in 
the  3  type  of  4  those  that  fell  in 
Israel. 

8  For  God  caused  all  sorts  of 
serpents  to  bite  them,  and  they 
died ;  forasmuch  as  by  a  serpent 
transgression  began  in  Eve :  that 
so  he  might  convince  them  that 
for  their  transgressions  they  shall 
be  delivered  into  the  pain  of 
death. 

9  Moses  then  himself,  who 
had  commanded  them,  saying, 
6  Ye  shall  not  make  to  yourselves 
any  graven  or  molten  image,  to 
be  your  God ;  yet  now  did  so 
himself,  that  he  might  represent 
to  them  the  figure  of  the  Lord 
Jesus. 

10  For  he  made  a  brazen  ser- 
pent, and  set  it  up  on  high,  and 
called  the  people  together  by  a 
proclamation ;  where  being  come, 
they  entreated  Moses  that  he 
would  make  an  atonement  for 
them,  and  pray  that  they  might 
be  healed. 


11  Then  Moses  spake  unto 
them,  saying :  when  any  one 
among  you  shall  be  bitten,  let 
him  come  unto  the  serpent  that 
is  set  upon  the  pole;  and  let 
him  assuredly  trust  in  him,  that 
though  he  be  dead,  yet  he  is  able 
to  give  life,  and  presently  he 
shall  be  saved ;  and  so  they  did. 
See  therefore  how  here  also  you 
have  in  this  the  glory  of  Jesus ; 
and  that  6in  him  and  to  him  are 
all  things. 

12  Again  ;  What  says  Moses 
to  Jesus  the  son  of  Nun,  when 
he  gave  that  name  unto  him,  as 
being  a  prophet  that  all  the  peo- 
ple might  hear  him  alone,  *  be- 
cause the  father  did  manifest  all 
things  concerning  his  son  Jesus, 
in  8  Jesus  the  Son  of  Nun  ;  and 
gave  him  that  name  when  he 
sent  him  to  spy  out  the  land  of 
Canaan  ;  9  he  said :  Take  a  book 
in  thine  hands,  and  write  what 
the  Lord  saith :  Forasmuch  as 
Jesus  the  Son  of  God  shall  in 
the  last  days  cut  off"  by  the  roots 
all  the  house  of  Amalek.  See 
here  again  Jesus,  not  the  son  of 
man,  but  the  Son  of  God,  made 
manifest  in  a  type  and  in  the 
flesh. 

13  But  because  it  might  here- 
after be  said,  that  Christ  was  the 
Son  of  David ;  10  therefore  David 
fearing  and  well  knowing  the 
errors  of  the  wicked,  saith ;  "the 
Lord  saith  unto  my  Lord,  sit 
thou  on  my  right  hand  until  I 
make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool. 

14  And  again  Isaiah  speaketh 
on  this  wise.  The  Lord  said  unto 
12  Christ  my  Lord,  I  have  laid 
hold  on  his  right  hand,  that  the 


1  Isaiah,  lxv.  2.  2So  Trenseus,  Jnst.  Mart.  St.  Chrysost,  &c.  Edit.  Oxon.  p. 
77,  a.  3Sign.  *  Israel  falling.  5  Dent.  xvii.  15.  6Rorn.  xi.  36.  7Deut. 
xviii.  15,  18.  8So  the  other  Fathers.  Just.  Mart.  &c.  Vid.  Edit.  Oxon.  page 
79.  9Vid.  Tnterp.  Vet  Lat.  Exod.  xvii.  14.  I0Comp.  Vet.  Lat.  Interp. 
"Psalm  cix.  3.  12  Vid.  Annot.Coteler,  in  loc.  Edit.  Oxon.  page  78,  c  Isaiah 
xlv.  1. 

158 


God's  'promises 


BARNABAS. 


made  to. 


nations  should  obey  before  him, 
and  I  will  break  the  strength  of 
kings. 

15  Behold,  how  doth  1  David 
and  Isaiah  call  him  Lord,  and 
the  Son  of  God. 

CHAP.  XII. 

The  promise  of  God  not  made  to  the 
Jews  only,  but  to  the  Gentiles  also, 
and  fulfilled  to  us  by  Jesus  Christ. 

BUT  let  us  go  yet  farther,  and 
inquire  whether  this  people 
be  the  heir,  or  the  former ;  and 
whether  the  covenant  be  with  us 
or  with  them. 

2  And  first,  as  concerning  the 
people,  hear  now  what  the  Scrip- 
ture saith. 

3  *  Isaac  prayed  for  his  wife 
Rebekah,  because  she  was  bar- 
ren ;  and  she  conceived.  After- 
wards Rebekah  went  forth  to 
inquire  of  the  Lord. 

4  And  the  Loi'd  said  unto  her ; 
There  are  two  nations  in  thy 
womb,  and  two  people  shall  come 
from  thy  body;  and  the  one 
shall  have  power  over  the  other, 
and  the  greater  shall  serve  the 
lesser.  Understand  here  who 
was  Isaac ;  who  Rebekah ;  and 
of  whom  it  was  foretold,  this 
people  shall  be  greater  than  that. 

5  And  in  another  prophecy 
Jacob  speaketh  more  clearly  to 
his  son  Joseph  saying ;  3  Behold 
the  Lord  hath  not  deprived  me 
of  seeing  thy  face,  bring  me  thy 
sons  that  I  may  bless  them. 
And  he  brought  unto  his  father 
*  Manasseh  and  Ephraim,  desi- 
ring that  he  should  bless  Ma- 
nasseh, because  he  Avas  the  elder. 

6  Therefore  Joseph  brought  j 
him  to  the  right  hand  of  his  | 
father  Jacob.    But  Jacob  by  the  I 

'Comp.  Vet.  Lat.  Interp.     2Gen.  xxv.  21.  Comp.  St.  Paul  Rom.  ix.     Just. 
Mart.  Tert.   &c.    Vid.  Ed.  Oxon.  p.  11,  a.  3Gen.  xlviii.  *Vid.Lat. 

Interp.  Vet.       5Gen.  xv.  17.     So  St.  Paul  himself  applies  this:  Rom.  iv.  3. 
6  Exod.  xxiv.  18.         7  D.ut.  ix.  10.     Exod.  xxxi.  12. 

159 


spirit  foresaw  the  figure  of  the 
people  that  was  to  come. 

7  And  what  saith  the  Scrip- 
ture? And  Jacob  crossed  his 
hands,  and  put  his  right  hand 
upon  Ephraim,  his  second,  and 
the  younger  son,  and  blessed  him. 
And  Joseph  said  unto  Jacob ;  Put 
thy  right  hand  upon  the  head  of 
Manasseh,  for  he  is  my  first-born 
son.  And  Jacob  said  unto  Jo- 
seph; I  know  it,  my  son,  I  know 
it;  but  the  greater  shall  serve 
the  lesser ;  though  he  also  shall 
be  blessed. 

8  Ye  see  of  whom  he  ap- 
pointed it,  that  they  should  be 
the  first  people,  and  heirs  of  the 
covenant. 

9  If  therefore  God  shall  have 
yet  farther  taken  notice  of  this 
by  Abraham  too  ;  our  under- 
standing of  it  will  then  be  per- 
fectly established. 

10  What  then  saith  the  Scrip- 
ture to  Abraham,  when  he  5  be- 
lieved, and  it  was  imputed  unto 
him  for  righteousness?  Behold 
I  have  made  thee  a  father  of  the 
nations,  which  without  circumci- 
sion believe  in  the  Lord. 

11  Let  us  therefore  now  in- 
quire whether  God  has  fulfilled 
the  covenant,  which  he  sware  to 
our  fathers,  that  he  would  give 
this  people  ?  Yes,  verily,  he  gave 
it :  but  they  were  not  worthy  to 
receive  it  by  reason  of  their  sins. 

1 2  For  thus  saith  the  prophet : 
6  And  Moses  continued  fasting 
in  mount  Sinai,  to  receive  the 
covenant  of  the  Lord  with  the 
people,  forty  days  and  forty 
nights. 

13  7And  he  received  of  the 
Lord  two  tables  written  with  the 
finger  of  the  Lord's  hand  in  the 


Jewish  Sabbath 


BARNABAS. 


typical. 


Spirit.  And  Moses  when  he 
had  received  them  brought  them 
down  that  he  might  deliver  them 
to  the  people. 

14  And  the  Lord  said  unto 
Moses ;  1  Moses,  Moses,  get  thee 
down  quickly,  for  the  people 
which  thou  broughtest  out  of  the 
land  of  Egypt  have  done  wick- 
edly. 

15  And  Moses  understood  that 
they  had  again  set  up  a  molten 
image  :  and  he  cast  the  two  ta- 
bles out  of  his  hands  ;  and  the 
tables  of  the  covenant  of  the 
Lord  were  broken.  Moses  there- 
fore received  them,  but  they  were 
not  worthy. 

16  Now  then  learn  how  we 
have  received  them.  Moses,  be- 
ing a  servant,  took  them ;  but 
the  Lord  himself  has  given 
them  unto  us,  that  we  might  be 
the  people  of  his  inheritance, 
having  suffered  for  us. 

17  He  was  therefore  made 
manifest ;  that  they  should  fill 
up  the  measure  of  their  sins, 
and  that  we  2  being  made  heirs 
by  him,  should  receive  the  cov- 
enant of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

18  And  again  the  prophet 
saith ;  3  Behold,  I  have  set  thee 
for  a  light  unto  the  Gentiles,  to 
be  4  the  saviour  of  all  the  ends 
of  the  earth,  saith  the  Lord  the 
God  who  hath  redeemed  thee. 

19  Who  for  that  very  end 
was  prepared,  that  by  his  own 
appearing  he  might  redeem  our 
hearts,  already  devoured  by 
death,  and  delivered  over  to 
the  irregularity  of  error,  from 
darkness ;  and  establish  a  cov- 
enant with  us  by  his  word. 

20  For  so  it  is  written  that  the 
father  commanded  him  by  deliv- 


ering us  from  darkness,  to  pre- 
pare unto  himself  a  holy  people. 

21  Wherefore  the  prophet 
saith :  5 1  the  Lord  thy  God 
have  called  thee  in  righteous- 
ness, and  I  will  take  thee  by 
thy  hand  and  will  strengthen 
thee.  And  give  thee  for  a  cov- 
enant of  the  people,  for  a  light 
of  the  Gentiles.  6To  open  the 
eyes  of  the  blind,  to  bring  out 
the  prisoners  from  the  prison, 
and  them  that  sit  in  darkness 
out  of  the  prison  house. 

22  Consider  therefore  from 
whence  we  have  been  redeemed. 
And  again  the  prophet  saith : 
7  The  spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon 
me,  because  he  hath  anointed 
me  :  he  hath  sent  me  to  preach 
glad  tidings  to  the  lowly ;  to 
heal  the  broken  in  heart ;  to 
preach  remission  to  the  captives, 
and  sight  unto  the  blind ;  to 
proclaim  the  acceptable  year  of 
the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  resti- 
tution ;  to  comfort  all  that 
mourn. 

CHAP.  XIII. 

That  the  sabbath  of  the  Jews  was  but  a 
figure  of  a  more  glorious  sabbath  to 
come,  and  their  temple,  of  the  spirit- 
ual temples  of  God. 

FURTHERMORE  it  is  writ- 
ten concerning  the  sab- 
bath, in  the  Ten  8  Command- 
ments, which  God  spake  in  the 
Mount  Sinai  to  Moses, 9  face  to 
face ;  Sanctify  the  sabbath  of 
the  Lord  with  pure  hands,  and 
with  a  clean  heart. 

2  And  elsewhere  he  saith ; 
10  If  thy  children  shall  keep  my 
sabbaths,  then  will  I  put  my 
mercy  upon  them. 

3  And  even  in  the  beginning 
of  the  creation  he  makes  men- 


1  Exod.  xxxii.  7.     Deut.  ix.  12.         2  Vid.  Lat.  Interpret.  Vet.         3  Isaiah 
xlix.  6.  4  For  salvation  unto.         5  Isaiah  xlii.  6.      6  Verse  7.        7  Isaiah 

lxi.  1,  2.     Comp.  Luke,  iv.  18.     8  Words.     9  Exod.  xx.  8.       10  Jer.  xvii.  24. 
160 


The  temple 


BARNABAS. 


typical 


tion  of  the  sabbath.  lAnd 
God  made  in  six  days  the  works 
of  his  hands;  and  he  finished 
them  on  the  2  seventh  day,  and 
he  rested  the  seventh  day,  and 
sanctified  it. 

4  Consider,  my  children,  what 
that  signifies,  he  finished  them 
in  six  days.  The  meaning  of  it 
is  this  ;  that  in  s  six  thousand 
years  the  Lord  God  will  bring 
all  things  to  an  end. 

5  For  with  him  one  day  is  a 
thousand  years  ;  as  himself  tes- 
tifieth,  saying,  Behold  this  day 
shall  be  as  a  thousand  years. 
Therefore,  children,  in  six  days, 
that  is,  in  six  thousand  years, 
shall  4all  things  be  accom- 
plished. 

6  And  what  is  that  he  saith, 
And  he  rested  the  seventh  day  : 
he  meaneth  this  ;  that  when  his 
Son  shall  come,  and  abolish  the 
season  of  the  5  Wicked  One,  and 
judge  the  ungodly ;  and  shall 
change  the  sun  and  the  moon, 
and  the  stars ;  then  he  shall 
gloriously  rest  in  that  seventh 
dav. 

7  He  adds  lastly  ;  Thou  shalt 
sanctify  it  with  clean  hands  and 
a  pure  heart.  Wherefore  we 
are  greatly  deceived  if  we 
imagine  that  any  one  can  now 
sanctify  that  day  which  God  has 
made  holy,  without  having  a 
heart  pure  in  all  things. 

8  Behold  therefore  he  will 
then  truly  sanctify  it  with  bles- 
sed rest,  when  we  (having  re- 
ceived the  righteous  promise, 
wh en  iniquity  shall  be  no  more, 
all  things  being  renewed  by  the 


Lord)  shall  be  able  to  sanctify 
it,  being  ourselves  first  made 
holy. 

9  Lastly,  he  saith  unto  them  : 
6  Your  new  moons  and  your 
sabbaths  I  cannot  bear  them. 
Consider  what  he  means  by  it ; 
the  sabbaths,  says  he,  which  ye 
now  keep  are  not  acceptable 
unto  me,  but  those  which  I  have 
made ;  when  resting  from  all 
things  I  shall  begin  7  the  eighth 
day,  that  is,  the  beginning  of 
the  other  world. 

10  For  which  cause  we  ob- 
serve the  eighth  day  with  glad- 
ness, in  which  Jesus  rose  from 
the  dead ;  and  having  mani- 
fested himself  to  his  disciples, 
ascended  into  heaven. 

11  \  It  remains  yet  that  I 
speak  to  you  concerning  the  tem- 
ple how  these  miserable  men  be- 
ing deceived  have  put  their  trust 
in  the  house, 8  and  not  in  God 
himself  who  made  them,  as  if  it 
were  the  habitation  of  God. 

12  For  much  after  the  same 
manner  as  the  Gentiles,  they  con- 
secrated him  in  the  temple. 

13  But  learn  therefore  how  the 
Lord  speaketh,  rendering  the 
temple  vain :  9  Who  has  measur- 
ed the  heaven  with  a  span,  and 
the  earth  with  his  hand  ?  Is  it 
not  I  ?  Thus  saith  the  Lord,10 
Heaven  is  my  throne,  and  the 
earth  is  my  footstool.  What  is 
the  house  that  ye  will  build  me  ? 
Or  what  is  the  place  of  my  rest? 
Know  therefore  that  all  their 
hope  is  vain. 

14  And  again  he  speaketh 
after  this  manner  r  u  Behold  they 


'Gen.  ii.  2.  Exod.  xx.  11,  xxxi.  17.  *  Vid.  Coteler;  Annot.  in  loc. 
3  How  general  this  tradition  then  was.  See  Coteler.  Annot.  in  loc. 
Edit.  Oxon,  page  90,  a.  Psalm  Ixxxix.  4.  4  That  is,  to  the  time  of  the 
Gospel,  says  Dr.  Bernard,  q.  v-  Annot.  p.  127,  Ed.  Oxon.  5  So  the  Lat. 
Vers.  6  Isaiah,  i.  13,  7  So  the  other  Fathers,  q.  v.  apud.  Coteler.  Annot. 
in  loc.  p.  36.  8  Vid.  Edit.  Oxon.  et  Vet.  Lat.  Interp..  9  Isaiah,  xl.  12. 

10  Isaiah,  lxvi.  1.     n  Isaiah,  xlix.  17. 

11  161 


of  the  way 


BARNABAS. 


of  light 


that  destroy  this  temple,  even 
they  shall  again  build  it  up. 
And  so  it  came  to  pass  ;  for 
through  their  wars  it  is  now  de- 
stroyed by  their  enemies ;  and 
the  servants  of  their  enemies 
built  it  up. 

15  Furthermore  it  has  been 
made  manifest,  how  both  the  city 
and  the  temple,  and  the  people  of 
Israel  should  be  given  up.  For 
the  Scripture  saith ;  1  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  that 
the  Lord  will  deliver  up  the 
sheep  of  his  pasture,  and  their 
fold,  and  their  tower  into  destruc- 
tion. And  it  is  come  to  pass,  as 
the  Lord  hath  spoken. 

16  Let  us  inquire  therefore, 
whether  there  be  any  temple  of 
God  ?  Yes  there  is  ;  and  that 
there,  where  himself  declares 
that  he  would  both  make  and 
perfect  it.  For  it  is  written  ; 
2  And  it  shall  be  that  as  soon  as 
the  week  shall  be  completed,  the 
temple  of  the  Lord  shall  be 
gloriously  built  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord. 

17  I  find  therefore  that  there 
is  a  temple.  But  how  shall  it  be 
built  in  the  name  of  the  Lord? 
I  will  shew  you. 

18  Before  that  we  believed  in 
God,  the  habitation  of  our  heart 
was  corruptible,  and  feeble,  as  a 
temple  truly  built  with  hands. 

19  For  it  was  a  house  full  of 
idolatry,  a  house  of  devils ;  inas- 
much as  there  was  done  in  it 
whatsoever  was  contrary  unto 
God.  But  it  shall  be  built  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord. 

20  Consider,  how  that  the 
temple  of  the  Lord  shall  be  very 
gloriously  built;  and  by  what 
means  that  shall  be,  learn. 

21  Having  received  remission 
of  our  sins,  and  trusting  in  the 

1  Zeph.  ii.  6.  just.  Heb. 
*  So  the  old  Lat.  Interp. 
162 


name  of  the  Lord,  we  are  become 
renewed,  being  again  created  as 
it  were  from  the  beginning. 
Wherefore  God  truly  dwells  in 
our  house,  that  is,  in  us. 

22  But  how  does  he  dwell  in 
us  ?  The  word  of  his  faith,  the 
calling  of  his  promise,  the  wisdom 
of  his  righteous  judgments,  the 
commands  of  his  doctrine  ;  he 
himself  prophesies  within  us,  he 
himself  dwelleth  in  us,  and  open- 
eth  to  us  who  were  in  bondage 
of  death  the  gate  of  our3  temple, 
that  is,  the  mouth  of  wisdom, 
having  given  repentance  unto 
us  ;  and  by  this  means  has 
brought  us  to  be  an  incorruptible 
temple. 

23  He  therefore  that  desires  to 
be  saved  looketh  not  unto  the 
man,  but  unto  him  that  dwelleth 
in  him,  and  speaketh  by  him  ; 
being  struck  with  wonder,  foras- 
much as  he  never  either  heard 
him  speaking  such  words  out  of 
his  mouth,  nor  ever  desired  to 
hear  them. 

24  This  is  that  spiritual  temple 
that  is  built  unto  the  Lord. 

CHAP.  XIV. 

Of  the  way  of  light  ;  being  a  summary 
of  what  a  Christian  is  to  do,  thai  he 
may  be  happy  for  ever. 

AND  thus,  I  trust,  I  have  de- 
clared to  you  as  much,  and 
with  as  great  simplicity  as  I 
could,  those  things  which  make 
for  your  salvation,  so  as  not  to 
have  omitted  anything  that 
might  be  requisite  thereunto. 

2  For  should  I  speak  further 
of  the  things  that 4  now  are,  and 
of  those  that  are  to  come,  you 
would  not  yet  understand  them, 
seeing  they  lie  in  parables.  This 
therefore  shall  suffice  as  to  these 
things. 

2  Dan.  ix.  Haggai,  ii.      3  Vid.  Lat.  Ver.  Interp. 


to  a  Christian. 


BARNABAS. 


Way  of  darkness. 


3  Let  us  now  go  on  to  the  other 
kind  of  knowledge  and  doctrine. 
There  are  two  ways  of  doctrine 
and  power  ;  the  one  of  light,  the 
other  of  darkness. 

4  But  there  is  a  great  deal 
of  difference  between  these  two 
ways:  for  over  one  are  appointed 
the  l  angels  of  God,  the  leaders 
of  the  way  of  hght  ;  over  ths 
other,  the  angels  of  Satan.  And 
the  one  is  the  Lord  from  everlast- 
ing to  everlasting ;  the  other  is 
the  prince  of  the  time  of  un- 
righteousness. 

5  Now  the  way  of  light  is  this, 
if  any  one  desires  to  attain  to  the 
place  that  is  appointed  for  him, 
and  will  hasten  thither  by  his 
works.  And  the  knowledge  that 
has  been  given  to  us  for  walking 
in  it,  to  this  effect  :  Thou  shalt 
love  him  that  made  thee:  thou 
shalt  glorify  him  that  hath  re- 
deemed thee  from  death. 

6  Thou  shalt  be  simple  in 
heart,  and  rich  in  the  spirit. 
Thou  shalt  not  cleave  to  those 
that  walk  in  the  way  of  death. 
Thou  shalt  hate  to  do  anything 
that  is  not  pleasing  unto  God. 
Thou  shalt.  abhor  all  dissimula- 
tion. Thou  shalt  not  neglect 
any  of  the  commands  of  the 
Lord. 

7  Thou  shalt  not  exalt  thyself, 
but  shalt  be  humble.  Thou  shalt 
not  take  honour  to  thyself.  Thou 
shalt  not  enter  into  any  wicked 
counsel  against  thy  neighbour. 
Thou  shalt  not  be  over-confident 
in  thy  heart. 

8  Thou  shalt  not  commit  forni- 
cation, nor  adultery.  Neither 
shalt  thou  corrupt  thyself  with 
mankind.  Thou  shalt  not  make 
use  of  the  word  of  God,  to  any 
impurity. 


9  Thou  shalt  not  accept  any 
man's  person,  when  thou  re- 
provest  any  one's  faults.  Thou 
shalt  be  gentle.  Thou  shalt  be 
quiet.  Thou  shalt  tremble  at 
the  words  which  thou  hast  heard. 

j  Thou  shalt  not  keep  any  hatred 
I  in  thy  heart  against  thy  brother. 
Thou  shalt  not  entertain  any 
doubt  whether  it  shall  be  or 
not. 

10  Thou  shalt  not  take  the 
name  of  the  Lord  in  vain.  Thou 
shalt  love  thy  neighbour  above 
thy  own  soul. 

11  Thou  shalt  not  destroy  thy 
conceptions  before  they  are 
brought  forth  ;  nor  kill  them 
after  they  are  born. 

12  Thou  shalt  not  withdraw 
thy  hand  from  thy  son,  or  from 
thy  daughter ;  but  shall  teach 
them  from  their  youth  the  fear 
of  the  Lord. 

13  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy 
neighbour's  goods;  neither  shalt 
thou  be2 an  extortioner.  Neither 
shall  thy  heart  be  joined  to  proud 
men ;  but  thou  shalt  be  num- 
bered among  the  righteous  and 
the  lowly.  Whatever  3  events 
shall  happen  unto  thee,  thou 
shalt  receive  them  as  good. 

14  Thou  shalt  not  be  double- 
minded,  or  double-tongued;  for 
a  double  tongue  is  the  snare  of 
death.  Thou  shalt  be  subject 
unto  the  Lord  and  to  inferior 
masters  as  to  the  representatives 
of  God,  in  fear  and  reverence. 

15  Thou  shalt  not  be  bitter  in 
thy  commands  towards  any  of 
thy  servants  that  trust  in  God  ; 
lest  thou  chance  not  to  fear  him 
who  is  over  both ;  because  he 
came  not  to  call  any  with  re- 
spect of  persons,  but  whomsoever 
the  spirit  had  prepared. 


Vid.  Coteler. 


loc.  et  Basil,  in  Psalm  i. 
3  Effects. 


1  Greedy,  nfeoveKTw. 

163 


Who  shall 


BARNABAS. 


cast  out. 


16  Thou  shalt  communicate 
to  thy  neighbour  of  all  thou 
hast ;  thou  shalt  not  call  any- 
thing thine  own :  for  if  ye  par- 
take in  such  things  as  are  incor- 
ruptible, how  much  more  should 
you  do  it  in  those  that  are  cor- 
ruptible ? 

17  x  Thou  shalt  not  be  forward 
to  speak ;  for  the  mouth  is  the 
snare  of  death.  2  Strive  for  thy 
soul  with  all  thy  might.  3  Reach 
not  out  thine  hand  to  receive, 
and  withhold  it  not  when  thou 
shouldest  give. 

18  Thou  shalt  love,  as  the 
apple-  of  thine  eye,  every  one 
that  speaketh  unto  thee  the 
Word  of  the  Lord.  4  Call  to  thy 
remembrance,  day  and  night, 
the  future  judgment. 

19  Thou  shalt  seek  out  every 
day  the  persons  of  the  5  right- 
eous :  and  both  consider  and  go 
about  to  exhort  others  by  the 
word,  and  meditate  how  thou 
mayest  save  a  soul. 

20  Thou  shalt  also  labour 
with  thy  hands  to  give  to  the 
poor,  6  that  thy  sins  may  be  for- 
given thee.  Thou  shalt  not  de- 
liberate whether  thou  shouldst 
give :  nor,  having  given,  mur- 
mur at  it. 

21  Give  to  every  one  that 
asks :  so  shalt  thou  know  who  is 
the  good  rewarder  of  thy  gifts. 

22  Keep  what  thou  hast  re- 
ceived ;  thou  shalt  neither  add 
to  it  nor  take  from  it. 

23  Let  the  wicked  be  always 
thy  aversion.  Thou  shalt  judge 
righteous  judgment.  Thou  shalt 
never  cause  divisions ;  but  shalt 
make  peace  between  those  that 


are  at  variance,  and  bring  them 
together. 

24  Thou  shalt  confess  thy  sins ; 
and  not  come  to  thy  prayer  with 
an  evil  conscience.  J 

25  This  is  the  way  of  light. 

CHAP.  XV. 

Of  the  way  of  darkness;  that  is,  what 
kind  of  persons  shall  be  for  ever  cast 
out  of  the  kingdom  of  God. 

BUT  the  way  of  darkness  is 
crooked  and  full  of  cursing. 
For  it  is  the  way  of  eternal 
death,  with  punishment ;  in 
which  they  that  walk  meet  those 
things  that  destroy  their  own 
souls,  j 

2  Such  are;  idolatry,  confi- 
dence, pride  of  power,  hypoc- 
risy, double-mindedness,  adul- 
tery, murder,  rapine,  pride, 
transgression,  deceit,  malice,  ar- 
rogance, witchcraft,  covetous- 
ness,  and  the  want  of  the  fear 
of  God. 

3  In  this  walk  those  who  are 
the  persecutors  of  them  that  are 
good  ;  haters  of  truth  ;  lovers  of 
lies ;  who  know  not  the  reward 
of  righteousness,  nor  cleave  to 
any  thing  that  is  good. 

4  Who  administer  not  right- 
eous judgment  to  the  widow  and 
orphan  ;  who  watch  for  wicked- 
ness, and  not  for  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  : 

5  From  whom  gentleness  and 
patience  are  far  off;  who  love 
vanity,  and  follow  after  rewards ; 
having  no  compassion  upon  the 
poor ;  nor  take  any  pains  for 
such  as   are   heavy   laden   and 


6  Ready  to  evil  speaking,  not 


1  See   Eccles.  iv.  29.  2  Ibid.,   ver.   28.     For   so   I   choose  to   read 

it,  vnep  rr/e  rpi'XVS  <*ov  ayuvevaeic,  according  to  the  conjecture  of  Cotelerius. 
s  Ibid.,  ver.  36.  4  And  remember  him  night  and  day.  The  words  Wfiepac 
K^ufEcjf,  seem  to  have  been  erroneously  inserted,  and  pervert  the  sense. 
5  Gr.  Saints.  6  Gr.  For  the  redemption  of  thy  sins.  Comp.  Dan.  iv.  24. 
See  lxx. 

164 


Who  shall  be 


BARNABAS. 


cast  out. 


knowing  him  that  made  them; 
murderers  of  children  ;  corrupt- 
ers of  the  creatures  of  God ; 
that  turn  away  from  the  needy ; 
oppress  the  afflicted ;  are  the 
advocates  of  the  rich,  but  unjust 
judges  of  the  poor;  being  alto- 
gether sinners. 

7  It  is  therefore  fitting  that 
learning  the  just  commands  of 
the  Lord,  which  we  have  before 
mentioned,  we  should  walk  in 
them.  For  he  who  does  such 
things  shall  be  glorified  in  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

8  But  he  that  chooses  the 
other  part,  shall  be  destroyed, 
together  with  his  works.  For 
this  cause  there  shall  be  both  a 
resurrection,  and  a  retribution. 

9  I  beseech  those  that  are  in 
high  estate  among  you,  (if  so  be 
you  will  take  the  counsel  which 
with  a  good  intention  I  offer  to 
you,)  you  have  those  with  you 
towards  whom  you  may  do  good ; 
do  not  forsake  them. 

10  For  the  day  is  at  hand  in 
which  all  things  shall  be  de- 
stroyed, together  with  the  wicked 
one.  The  Lord  is  near,  and  his 
reward  is  with  him. 

11  I  beseech  you,  therefore, 
again,  and  again,  be  as  .good 
lawgivers  to  one  another;  con- 
tinue faithful  counsellors  to  each 
other ;  remove  from  among  you 
all  hypocrisy. 


12  And  may  God,  the  Lord 
of  all  the  world  give  you  wis- 
dom, knowledge,  counsel,  and 
understanding  of  his  judgments 
in  patience. 

13  Be  ye  taught  of  God  ; 
seeking  what  it  is  the  Lord  re- 
quires of  you,  and  doing  it ;  that 
ye  may  be  saved  in  the  day  of 
judgment. 

14  And  if  there  be  among  you 
any  remembrance  of  what  is 
good,  think  of  me;  meditating 
upon  these  things,  that  both  my 
desire  and  my  watching  for  you 
may  turn  to  a  good  account. 

15  I  beseech  you ;  I  ask  it  as 
a  favour  of  you ;  whilst  you  are 
in  this  beautiful  '  tabernacle  of 
the  body,  be  wanting  in  none  of 
these  things ;  but  without  ceasing 
seek  them,  and  fulfil  every  com- 
mand. For  these  things  are 
fitting  and  worthy  to  be  done. 

16  Wherefore  I  have  given 
the  more  diligence  to  write  unto 
you,  according  to  my  ability, 
that  you  might  rejoice.  Fare- 
well, children,  of  love  and  peace. 

17  The  Lord  of  glory  and  of 
all  grace,  be  with  your  spirit, 
Amen. 


Tf  The  end  of  the  Epistle  of  Bar- 
nabas, the  Apostle,  and  fellow- 
traveller  of  St.  Paul  the  Apostle. 


165 


The  EPISTLE  of  IGNATIUS  to  the  EPHESIANS. 

T[  Of  the  Epistles  of  Ignatius. 

[The  Epistles  of  Ignatius  are  translated  by  Archbishop  Wake  from  the 
text  of  VossiuS.  He  says  that  there  were  considerable  differences  in  the 
editions ;  the  best  for  a  long  time  extant  containing  fabrications,  and 
the  genuine  being  altered  and  corrupted.  Archbishop  Usher  printed 
old  Latin  translations  of  them  at  Oxford,  in  1644.  At  Amsterdam,  two 
years  afterwards,  Vossius  printed  six  of  them,  in  their  ancient  and  pure 
Greek ;  and  the  seventh  greatly  amended  from  the  ancient  Latin  ver- 
sion, was  printed  at  Paris,  by  Ruinart,  in  1689,  in  the  Acts  and  Mar- 
tyrdom of  Ignatius,  from  a  Greek  uninterpolated  copy.  These  are 
supposed  to  form  the  collection  that  Polycarp  made  of  the  Epistles  of 
Ignatius,  mentioned  by  Irenseus,  Origen,  Eusebius,  Jerome,  Athanasius, 
Theodoret,  and  other  ancients ;  but  many  learned  men  have  imagined 
all  of  them  to  be  apocryphal.  This  supposition,  the  piety  of  Archbishop 
Wake,  and  his  persuasion  of  their  utility  to  the  faith  of  the  church,  will 
not  permit  him  to  entertain ;  hence  he  has  taken  great  pains  to  render 
the  present  translation  acceptable,  by  adding  numerous  readings  and 
references  to  the  Canonical  Books.] 


CHAR  I. 

1  Commends  them  for  sending  Onesimus, 
and  other  members  of  the  church  to 
him.  8  Exhorts  them  to  unity,  13 
by  a  due  subjection  to  their  bishop. 

IGNATIUS,  who  is  also  called 
Theophorus,  to  the  church 
which  is  at   Ephesus  in  Asia ;  j 
most   deservedly   happy  ;  being  I 
hlessed  x  through  the  greatness  I 
and  fulness  2  of  God  the  Father, 
and    predestinated    before    the  I 
world  began,  that  it  should  be 
always  unto  an  enduring  and  un- 
changeable glory ;  being  united 
and   chosen    3  through   his   true 
passion,  according  to  the  will  of 
the  Father,  and  Jesus  Christ  our 
God;  all   *  happiness,  by  Jesus 
Christ,  and  5  his  undefiled  grace. 

2  I  have  heard  of  your  name 
much  beloved  in  God ;  which  ye 
have  6very  justly  attained  by  a 
7  habit  of  righteousness,  accord- 
ing to  the  faith  and  love  which 
is  in  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour. 

3  How  that  being  8  followers 
of  God,  and  stirring  up  your- 
selves by  the  blood  of  Christ  ye 
have  perfectly  accomplished  the 


work  that  was  con-natural  unto 
you. 

4  For  hearing  that  I  came 
bound  from  Syria,  for  the  com- 
mon name  and  9hope,  trusting 
through  your  prayers  to  fight 
with  beasts  at  Rome;  so  that  by 
10  suffering  I  may  become  indeed 
the  disciple  of  him  "who  gave 
himself  to  God,  an  offering  and 
sacrifice  for  us ;  12  (ye  hastened 
to  see  me).  I  received,  there- 
fore, in  the  name  of  God,  your 
whole  multitude  in  Onesimus. 

5  Who  by  inexpressible  love 
is  ours,  but  according  to  the 
flesh  is  your  bishop;  whom  I 
beseech  you,  by  Jesus  Christ,  to 
love ;  and  that  you  would  all 
strive  to  be  like  unto  him.  And 
blessed  be  God,  who  has  granted 
unto  you,  who  are  so  worthy  of 
him,  to  13  enjoy  such  an  excellent 
bishop. 

6  For  what  concerns  my  fel- 
low servant  Burrhus,  and  your 
14  most  blessed  deacon  in  things 
pertaining  to  God ;  I  entreat  you 
that  he  may  tarry  longer,  both  for 
yours,  and  your  bishop's  honour. 


1  In.  2  See  Eph.  iii.  19.  3  In.  4  Health,  Joy.  5  Eeceived.  Vid.  Epist. 
Interpol.  6  Vid.  Coteler.  in  loc.  Comp.  Gal.  iv.  8.  7  Pearson.  Vind.  Ignat. 
Par.  2,  cap.  14.  8  Imitators.  9  Viz.  of  Christ.  10  Martyrdom.  n  Eph.  v. 
2.  12  See  the  old  Lat.  Ed.  of  Bishop  Usher.  13  Possess.  l4  Blessed  in  all 
things. 

166 


Of  unity 


EPHESIANS. 


and  subjection. 


7  And  Crocus  also  worthy 
both  our  God  and  you,  whom  I 
have  received  as  the  pattern  of 
your  love,  has  in  all  things  re- 
freshed me,  as  the  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  shall  also  re- 
fresh him  ;  together  with  Onesi- 
mus,  and  Burrhus,  and  Euclus, 
and  Fronto,  xin  whom  I  have, 
as  to  your  charity,  seen  all  of  you. 
And  may  I  always,  2  have  joy  of 
you,  if  I  shall  be  worthy  of  it. 

8  It  is  therefore  fitting  that 
you  should  3  by  all  means  glorify 
Jesus  Christ  who  hath  glorified 
you :  that  *  by  a  uniform  obe- 
dience 5ye  may  be  perfectly 
joined  together,  in  the  same 
mind,  and  in  the  same  judgment: 
and  may  all  speak  the  same 
things  concerning  everything. 

9  And  that  being  subject  to 
6  your  bishop,  and  the  presby- 
tery, ye  may  be  wholly  and  tho- 
roughly sanctified. 

10  These  things  I  'prescribe 
to  you,  not  as  if  I  were  some- 
body extraordinary :  for  though 
I  am  bound  8  for  his  name,  I  am 
not  yet  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus. 

9  But  now  I  begin  to  learn,  and 
I  speak  to  you  as  fellow  disci- 
ples together  with  me. 

11  For  I  ought  to  have  been 
stirred  up  by  you,  in  faith,  in 
admonition,  in  patience,  in  long- 
suffering  ;  but  forasmuch  as  cha- 
rity suffers  me  not  to  be  silent 

10  towards  you,  I  have  first  taken 
upon  me  to  exhort  you,  that  ye 
would  all  run  together  according 
to  the  will  of  God. 

12  For  even  Jesus  Christ,  our 
inseparable  life,  is  sent  by  the 

11  will  of  the  Father ;  as  the 
bishops,  appointed  unto  the  ut- 


most bounds  of  the  earth,  are  by 
the  will  of  Jesus  Christ. 

13  "Wherefore  it  will  become 
you  to  run  together  according 
to  the  will  of  your  bishop,  as 
also  ye  do. 

14  For  your  "famous  presby- 
tery, worthy  of  God,  is  fitted  as 
exactly  to  the  bishop,  as  the 
strings  are  to  the  harp. 

15  Therefore  in  your  concord 
and  agreeing  charity,  Jesus 
Christ  is  sung ;  and  every  single 
person  among  you  makes  up  the 
chorus : 

16  That  so  being  all  conso- 
nant in  ulove,  and  taking  up 
the  song  of  God,  ye  may  in  a 
perfect  unity  with  one  voice, 
sing  to  the  Father  by  Jesus 
Christ ;  to  the  end  that  he  may 
both  hear  you,  and  perceive  by 
your  works,  that  ye  are  indeed 
the  members  of  his  son. 

17  Wherefore  it  is  profitable 
for  you  to  live  in  an  unblamea- 

ble  unity,  that  so  ye  may  always     .  T^N^ 
15  have  a  fellowship  rfith  God. 

cHApmNivERsir 

1   The    benefit   of   sub\ctiort.      4    The 

bishop  not  to  be  res)s%ctaffo  faTfaf\T)  \&\V' 
because  he  is  not  forward  ia^jUcKtbi}y  *  v  * 
it:  8  warns  them  against  heretics ; 
bidding  them  cleave  to  Jesus,  whose 
divine  and  human  nature  is  declared; 
commends  them  for  their  care  to  keep 
themselves  from  false  teachers;  and 
shews  them  the  way  to  God. 

FOR  if  I  in  this  little  time  have 
had  such  a  familiarity  with 
your  bishop,  I  mean  not  a  carnal, 
but  spiritual  acquaintance  with 
him ;  how  much  more  must  I 
think  you  happy  who  are  so 
joined  to  him,  as  the  church  is  to 
Jesus  Christ,  and  Jesus  Christ  to 


S 


1  By.  2  See  Philem.  20.  Wisd.  xxx.  2.  3  In  all  manner  of  ways.  4  In 
one.  5  1  Cor.  i.  10.  6The.  7  Command  you.  8  In.  9  For.  10  Concerning. 
11  Mind,  counsel,  opiuion,  &c.  u  Whence.  13  Worthy  to  be  named.  w  Con- 
cord.    15  Partake  of. 

167 


Love  to  the  bishop . 


EPHESIANS.      Exhorts  against  heresy. 


the  Father  ;   that  so  all  things 
may  agree  in  the  same  unity  ? 

2  Let  no  man  deceive  himself; 
if  a  man  be  not  within  the  altar, 
he  is  deprived  of  the  bread  of 
God.  For  if  the  prayers  of 1  one 
or  two  be  of  such  force,  as  we 
are  told ;  how  much  more  power- 
ful shall  that  of  the  bishop  and 
the  whole  church  be  ? 

3  He  therefore  that  does  not 
come  together  in  the  same  place 
with  it,  is  2  proud,  and  has  al- 
ready 3  condemned  himself.  For 
it  is  written,  i  God  resisteth  the 
proud.  Let  us  take  heed  there- 
fore, that  we  do  not  set  ourselves 
against  the  bishop,  that  we  may 
be  subject  to  God. 

4  5  The  more  any  one  sees  his 
bishop  silent,  the  more  let  him 
revere  him.  For  whomsoever 
the  master  of  the  house  sends  to 
be  over  his  own  household,  we 
ought  in  like  manner  to  receive 
him,  as  we  would  do  him  that 
sent  him.  It  is  therefore  evident 
that  we  ought  to  look  upon  the 
bishop,  even  as  we  would  do  upon 
the  Lord  himself. 

5  And  indeed  Onesimus  him- 
self does  greatly  commend  your 
good  order  in  God :  that  you  all 
live  according  to  the  truth,  and 
that  no  heresy  dwells  among  you. 
For  neither  do  ye  hearken  to  any 
one  more  than  to  Jesus  Christ 
speaking  to  you  in  truth. 

6  For   some    there   are   who 

6  carry  about  the  name  of  Christ 

7  in  deceitfulness,  but  do  things 
unworthy  of  God ;  whom  ye  must 

flee,  as  ye  would  do  so  many  wild 
For  they  are  ravening 


dogs,  who  bite  secretly  :  against 
whom  ye  must  guard  yourselves, 
as  men  hardly  to  be  cured. 

7  There  is  one  physician,  both 
fleshly  and  spiritual;  made  and 
not  made ;  God  incarnate ;  true 
life  in  death ;  both  of  Mary  and  of 
God ;  first  passible,  then  impassi- 
ble ;  even  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

8  Wherefore  let  no  man  de- 
ceive you  ;  as  indeed  neither  are 
ye  deceived,  being  wholly  the 
servants  of  God.  For  inasmuch 
as  there  is  no  contention  nor 
strife  among  you,9  to  trouble  you, 
10  ye  must  needs  live  according 
to  God's  will.  u  My  soul  be  for 
yours ;  and  I  myself  the  expi- 
atory offering  for  your  church  of 
Ephesus,  so  famous 12  throughout 
the  world. 

9  They  that  are  of  the  flesh 
cannot  do  the  works  of  the  spirit ; 
neither  they  that  are  of  the  spirit 
the  works  of  the  flesh.  13  As  he 
that  has  faith  cannot  be  an  infi- 
del ;  nor  he  that  is  an  infidel  have 
faith.  But  even  those  things 
which  ye  do  according  to  the  flesh 
are  spiritual ;  forasmuch  as  ye 
do  all  things  in  Jesus  Christ. 

10  Nevertheless  I  have  " heard 
of  some  who  have  15  passed  by 
you,  having  perverse  doctrine  ; 
whom  ye  did  not  suffer  to  sow  M 
among  you  ;  but  stopped  your 
ears,  that  ye  might  not  receive 
those  things  that  were  sown  by 
them ;  17  as  becoming  the  stones 
of  the  temple  of  the  Father,  pre- 
pared for  18  his  building  ;  and 
drawn  up  on  high  by  the  Cross 
of  Christ, 19  as  by  an  engine. 

11  Using  the  Holy  Ghost  as 


1  Matt,  xviii.  19.  2  Is  already  proud  and  has,  &c.  3  Judged,  or  separated. 
4  James,  iv.  6.  5  And  the.  •  Accustom  themselves  to  carry.  7In  wicked 
deceit.  8  Avoid.  9  Which  can.  10  Without  doubt  ye  live.  "Vid.  Voss. 
Annot.  in  loc  Pearson,  Vind.  Ign.  par.  2,  pp.  207,  208.  12To  ages.  13  As 
neither  is  faith  the  things  of  infidelity,  nor  infidelity  the  things  of  faith. 
"Known.  15 Passed  thither.  ^  Upon.  1TComp.  Eph.  ii.  20,  21,  22. 
1  Pet.  ii.  5.  18The  building  of  God  the  Father.  19  By  the  engine  of  the 
cross,  etc. 

168 


Exhorts  to  prayer, 


EPHESIANS. 


against  sin, 


the  rope  :  your  faith  being  your 
support ;  and  your  charity  the 
way  that  leads  unto  God. 

12  Ye  are  therefore,  with  all 
your  companions  in  the  same 
1  journey,  full  of  God;  his  spiri- 
tual temples, 2  full  of  Christ,  full 
of  holiness :  adorned  in  all  things 
with  the  commands  of  Christ. 

13  In  whom  also  I  rejoice  that 
I  have  been  thought  worthy  by 
3  this  present  epistle  to  converse, 
and  joy  together  with  you  ;  that 
with  respect  to  the  other  life,  ye 
love  nothing  but  God  only. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  Exhorts  them  to  prayer;  to  be  un- 
blameable.  5  To  be  careful  of  salva- 
tion; 11  frequent  in  public  devotion; 
13  and  to  live  in  charity. 

PRAY  also  without  ceasing 
for  other  men :  for  there  is 
hope  of  repentance  in  them,  that 
they  may  attain  unto  God.  Let 
them  therefore  at  least  be  in- 
structed by  your  works,  if  they 
will  be  no  other  way. 

2  Be  ye  mild  at  their  anger ; 
humble  at  their  boasting;  to  their 
blasphemies  return  your  prayers : 
to  their  error,  your  *  firmness  in 
the  faith :  when  they  are  cruel, 
be  ye  gentle ;  not  endeavouring 
to  imitate  their  ways. 

(3  Let  us  be  their  brethren  in 
all  kindness  and  moderation,  but 
let  us  be  followers  of  the  Lord  ; 
5  for  who  was  ever  more  unjustly 
used  ?  More  destitute  ?  More 
despised  ?) 

4  That  so  no  herb  of  the  devil 
may  be  found  in  you :  but  ye  may 
remain  in  all  holiness  and  so- 
briety 6  both  of  body  and  spirit, 
in  Christ  Jesus. 


5  The  last  times  7  are  come 
upon  us :  let  us  therefore  be  very 
reverent  and  fear  the  long-suffer- 
ing of  God,  that  it  be  not  to  us 
unto  condemnation. 

6  For  let  us  either  fear  the 
wrath  that  is  to  come,  or  let  us 
love  the  grace 8  that  we  at  present 
enjoy:  that 9 by  the  one,  or  other, 
of  these  we  may  be  found  in 
Christ  Jesus,  unto  true  life. 

7  10  Besides  him,  let  nothing 
11  be  worthy  of  you  ;  12  for  whom 
also  I  bear  about  these  bonds, 
those  spiritual  jewels,  in  which  I 
would  to  God  that  I  might  arise 
through  your  prayers. 

8  Of  which  I  entreat  you  to 
make  me  always  partaker,  that  I 
may  be  found  in  the  lot  of  the 
Christians  of  Ephesus,  who  have 
always 13  agreed  with  the  Apos- 
tles,14 through  the  power  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

9  ^f  I  know  both  who  I  am, 
and  to  whom  I  write ;  I,  a  person 
condemned :  ye,  such  as  have 
obtained  mercy  :  I,  exposed  to 
danger ;  ye,  confirmed  against 
danger. 

10  Ye  are  the  passage  of  those 
that  are  killed  for  God  ;  the  com- 
panions of  Paul  in  the  mysteries 
of  the  Gospel;  the  Holy,  the 
15  martyr,  the  deservedly  most 
happy  Paul :  at  whose  feet  may  I 
be  found,  when  I  shall  have  at- 
tained unto  God ;  who  16  through- 
out all  his  epistle,  makes  mention 
of  you  in  Christ  Jesus. 

11  Let  it  be  your  care  there- 
fore to  come  more  fully  together, 
to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God. 
For  when  ye  meet  fully  together 
in  the  same  place,  the  powers  of 


1  Pearson,  ib.  part  2,  cap.  12.      2  Carriers.      3  These  things  I  write.      4  Be 
ye  firm.  5  Who  has  been  more,  etc.  6In  Jesus  Christ  both  bodily  and 

spiritually.       1  Cor.  vii    34.        7  Remain:  or,  for  it  remains.       8  Is  present. 
9  One  of  the  two,  only  that  we  may  be  found,  etc.  10  Without  him. 

11  Become  you.       12  In.       13  Assented  to.      "In.      "Witnessed  of.       18  Vid. 
Coteler.  in  loc.  Pears.  Vind.  Ign.  Par  2,  cap.  10. 


to  charity,  and  to 


EPHESIANS. 


love  of  the  Gospel. 


the  devil  are  destroyed,  and  his 

1  mischief   is   dissolved    by   the 

2  unity  of  their  faith. 

12  And  indeed,  nothing  is 
better'  than  peace,  by  which  all 
war  both  3  spiritual  and  earthly 
is  abolished. 

13  Of  all   which   nothing   is 
hid  from  you,  if  ye  have  perfect  I 
faith  and  charity  in  Christ  Jesus, 
which  are  the  beginning  and  end 
of  life. 

14  For  the  beginning  is  faith ; 
the  end  is  charity.  And  these 
two  *  joined  together,  are  of  God  : 
but  all  other  things  which  con- 
cern a  holy  life  are  the  conse- 
quences of  these. 

15  No  man  professing  a  true 
faith,  sinneth ;  neither  does  he 
who  has  charity  hate  any. 

16  5The  tree  is  made  manifest 
by  its  fruit ;  so  they  who  profess 
themselves  to  be  Christians  6  are 
known  by  what  they  do. 

17  For  Christianity  is  not  the 
work  of  an  outward  profession ; 
but  shows  itself  in  the  power  of 
faith,  if  a  man  be  found  faithful 
unto  the  end. 

18  It  is  better  for  a  man  to 
hold  his  peace,  and  be  ;  'than  to 
say  he  is  a  Christian  and  not  to  be. 

19  It  is  good  to  teach;  8if 
what  he  says  he  does  likewise. 

20  There  is  therefore  one  mas- 
ter who  spake,  and  it  was  done; 
and  even  those  things  which  he 
did  without  speaking,  are  worthy 
of  the  Father. 

21  He  that  possesses  the  word 
of  Jesus  is  truly  able  to  hear  his 
very  silence,  that  he  may  be 
perfect ;  9  and  both  do  according 
to  what  he  speaks,  and  be  known 


by  those  things  of  which  he  is 
silent. 

22  There  is  nothing  hid  from 
God,  but  even  our  secrets  are 
nigh  unto  him. 

23  Let  us  therefore  do  all 
things,  as  becomes  those  who 
have  10  God  dwelling  in  them  ; 
that  we  may  be  his  temples,  and 
he  may  be  our  God :  as  also  he 
is,  and  will  manifest  himself  be- 
fore our  faces,  by  those  things 
11  for  which  we  justly  love  him. 

CHAP.  IV. 

1  To  have  a  care  for  the  Gospel.  9  The 
virginity  of  Mary,  the  incarnation, 
and  the  death  of  Christ,  were  hid  from 
the  Devil.  11  How  the  birth  of  Christ 
was  revealed.     16  Exhorts  to  unity. 

BE  not  deceived,  my  brethren : 
those  that  12  corrupt  families 
by  adultery,  shall  not  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

2  If  therefore  they  who  do 
this  according  to  the  flesh,  13have 
suffered  death  ;  how  much  more 
shall  he  die,  who  by  his  wicked 
doctrine  corrupts  the  faith  of 
God,  for  which  Christ  was  cru- 
cified ? 

3  "He  that  is  thus  defiled, 
shall  depart  into  unquenchable 
fire,  and  so  also  shall  he  that 
15  hearkens  to  him. 

4  For  this  cause  did  the  Lord 
16sufFer  the  ointment  to  be  poured 
on  his  head ;  that  he  might 
breathe  the  breath  of  immortality 
unto  his  church. 

5  Be  not  ye  therefore  anointed 
with  the  evil  savour  of  the  doc- 
trine of  the  prince  of  this  world  : 
let  him  not  take  you  captive  from 
the  life  that  is  set  before  you. 

6  And   why  are  we   not   all 


1  Destruction.  2  Concord.  3  Of  things  in  heaven  and  of  things  on  earth. 
*  Beintj  in  unity.  5  Matt.  xii.  38.  6  Shall  be  seen  or  made  manifest. 
7  Speaking,  not  to  be.  8  If  he  who  says,  does.  9  That  he  may.  10  Him. 
11  Out  of.  12  The  corrupters  of  houses.  1  Cor.  vi.  9,  10.  13 1  Cor.  x.  8. 
14  Such  a  one  being  become  defiled.  15  Hears  him.  16  Keceives  ointment. 
Psalm  xliv.  8,  cxxxii.  2. 
170 


TJie  incarnation,  &c, 


EPHESIANS. 


hid  from  the  devil. 


wise,  seeing  we  have  received 
the  knowledge  of  God,  which  is 
Jesus  Christ  ?  Why  1  do  we  suf- 
fer ourselves  foolishly  to  perish  ; 
*not  considering  the  gift  which 
the  Lord  has  truly  sent  to  us? 

7  3  Let  my  life  be  sacrificed 
for  the  doctrine  of  the  cross; 
which  is  indeed  a  scandal  to  the 
unbelievers,  but  to  us  is  salvation 
and  life  eternal. 

8  *  Where  is  the  wise  man  ? 
Where  is  the  disputer  ?  Where 
is  the  boasting  of  those  who  are 
called  wise  ? 

9  For  our  God  Jesus  Christ 
was  according  to  the  dispensation 
of  God  5  conceived  in  the  womb 
of  Mary,  of  the  seed  of  David, 
6 by  the  Holy  Ghost;  7he  was 
born  and  baptized,  that  through 
his  passion  he  might  purify 
water,  to  the  washing  away  of  sin. 

10  'Now  the  Virginity  of  Mary, 
and  he  who  was  born  of  her,  was 
kept  in  secret  from  the  prince 
of  this  world ;  as  was  also  the 
death  of  our  Lord :  three  of  the 
8  mysteries  the  most  spoken  of 
throughout  the  world,  yet  done 
in  9  secret  by  God. 

11  How  then  was  our  Saviour 
manifested  to  the  world?  A 
star  shone  in  heaven  beyond  all 
the  other  stars,  and  its  light  was 
inexpressible,  and  its  novelty 
struck  terror  into  men's  minds. 
All  the  rest  of  the  stars,  together 
with  the  sun  and  moon,  were  the 
chorus  to  this  star ;  but  that 
sent  out  its  light  exceedingly 
above  them  all. 

12  And  men  10  began  to  be 
troubled   to   think  whence   this 

11  new   star   came   so   unlike   to 

12  all  the  others. 


13  Hence  all  the  power  of 
magic  became  dissolved ;  and 
every  bond  of  wickedness  was 

13  destroyed :  men's  ignorance 
was  taken  away ;  and  the  old 
kingdom  abolished ;  God  himself 

14  appearing  in  the  form  of  a  man, 
for  the  renewal  of  eternal  life. 

14  From  thence  began  what 
God  had  prepared :  from  thence- 
forth things  were  disturbed;  for- 
asmuch as  he  designed  to  abolish 
death. 

15  But  if  Jesus  Christ  shall 
give  me  grace  through  your 
prayers,  and  it  be  his  will,  I 
purpose  in  a  second  epistle  which 
I  will  suddenly  write  unto  you 
to  manifest  to  you  more  fully 
the  dispensation  of  which  I  have 
now  begun  to  speak,  unto  the  new 
man,  which  is  Jesus  Christ;  both 
in  his  faith,  and  charity ;  in  his 
suffering,  and  in  his  resurrection. 

16  Especially  if  the  Lord  shall 
15  make  known  unto  me,  that  ye 
all  by  name  come  together  in 
common  in  one  faith,  and  in  one 
Jesus  Christ;  who  was  of  the 
race  of  David  according  to  the 
flesh  ;  the  Son  of  man,  and  Son 
of  God ;  16  obeying  your  bishop 
and  the  presbytery  with  an  en- 
tire "  affection ;  breaking  one 
and  the  same  bread,  which  is  the 
medicine  of  immortality ;  our 
antidote  that  we  should  not  die, 
but  live  forever  in  Christ  Jesus. 

17  My  soul  be  for  yours,  and 
theirs  whom  ye  have  sent  to  the 
glory  of  God,  even  unto  Smyrna, 
from  whence  also  I  write  to  you  ; 
giving  thanks  unto  the  Lord 
and  loving  Polycarp  even  as  I 
do  you.  Remember  me,  as  Jesus 
Christ  does  remember  you. 


1  Are  we  foolishly  destroyed  ?  2  Not  knowing.  3  See  Dr.  Smith's  note  in 
loc.  1  Cor.  i.  18,  23,  24-  4*1  Cor.  i.  20.  5  Carried.  6  But  by.  7  Who  was. 
8  Mysteries  of  noise-  9  Silence  or  quietness.  See  Rom.  xvi.  2-5.  10  There 
was  a  disorder.  u  Novelty.  12  Them.  13  Disnppeared.  14  Being  made 
manifest.     15  Reveal.     16  That  ye  may  obey.    17  Mind. 

171 


Exhorts  to  reverence 


MAGNESIANS. 


the  bishop. 


18  Pray  for  the  church  which 
is  in  Syria,  from  whence  I  am 
carried  bound  to  Rome ;  being 
the  least  of  all  the  faithful  which 
are  there,  as  I  have  been  thought 


worthy  to  be  found  to  the  glory 
of  God. 

19  Fare  ye  well  in  God  the 
Father,  and  in  Jesus  Christ,  our 
common  Hope.  Amen. 


^f  To  the  Ephesians. 


The  EPISTLE  of  IGNATIUS  to  the  MAGNESIANS. 


CHAP.  I. 

4  Mentions  the  arrival  of  Damas,  their 
bishop,  and  others,  6  whom  he  exhorts 
them  to  reverence,  notwithstanding  he 
was  a  young  man. 

IGNATIUS  who  is  also  called 
Theophorus  ;  to  the  blessed 
1  (church)  2  by  the  grace  of  God 
the  Father  in  3Jesus  Christ  our 
Saviour :  in  whom  I  salute  the 
church  which  is  at  Magnesia 
near  the  Mseander :  and  wish  it 
all  joy  in  God  the  Father  and  in 
Jesus  Christ. 

2  When  I  heard  of  your  well 
ordered  love  and  charity  in  God, 
being  full  of  joy,  I  desired  much 
to  speak  unto  you  in  the  faith 
of  Jesus  Christ. 

3  For  having  *been  thought 
worthy  to  obtain  a  most  excellent 
name, 5  in  the  bonds  which  I  car- 
ry about,  I  6  salute  the  churches ; 
wishing  in  them  a  union  both  of 
the  body  and  spirit  of  Jesus 
Christ,  our  eternal  life :  as  also 
of  faith  and  charity,  to  which 
nothing  is  preferred:  but  espe- 
cially of  Jesus  and  the  Father  ; 
in  whom  7  if  we  undergo  all  the 
injuries  of  the  prince  of  this  pre- 
sent world,  and  escape,  we  shall 
enjoy  God. 

4  Seeing   then   I   have  been 


judged  worthy  to  see  you,  by 
Damas  your  8  most  excellent 
bishop ;  and  by  your  very  wor- 
thy presbyters,  Bassus  and  Apol- 
lonius ;  and  by  my  fellow-servant 
Sotio,  the  deacon  ; 

5  In  whom  "I  rejoice,  foras- 
much as  he  is  the  subject  unto 
his  bishop  as  to  the  grace  of 
God,  and  to  the  presbytery  as 
to  the  law  of  Jesus  Christ ;  I0 1 
determined  to  write  unto  you. 

6  Wherefore  it  will  become 
you  also  not  u  to  use  your  bishop 
too  familiarly  upon  the  account 
of  his  youth ;  but  to  yield  all 
reverence  to  him  according  to 
the  power  of  God  the  Father ;  as 
also  I  perceive  that  your  holy 
presbyters  do :  not  considering 
his  12age,  which  indeed  to  ap- 
pearance is  young ;  but  as  be- 
comes those  who  are  prudent  in 
God,  submitting  to  him,  or  rather 
not  to  him,  but  to  the  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  bishop 
of  us  all. 

7  It  will  therefore  "behoove 
you  w  with  all  sincerity,  to  obey 
your  bishop ;  in  honour  of  him 
15  whose  pleasure  it  is  that  ye 
should  do  so. 

8  Because  he  that  does  not  do 
so,  deceives  not  the  bishop  whom 


1  Vid.  Interp.  Lat.  Epist.  Interpol.  2  In.  s  According  to.  *  Been  vouch- 
safed a  name  carrying  a  great  deal  of  divinity  in  it.  6  See  Bishop  Pearson. 
Vind.  Ign.  par.  ii.  cap.  12,  p.  146.  6  Sing,  commend.  '  Undergoing, 
escaping.  8  Worthy  of  God.  9  Whom  may  I  enjoy.  10  Apud.  Vet.  Lat. 
Interp.  Glorificato  Deum  Patrem  D.  nostri  Jesu  Christi.  ll  Vid.  Voss. 
Annot.  in  loc.  Pearson  Prsef.  ad  Vind.  Ignat.  12  Seeming  youthful  state. 
13  It  is  becoming.  "  Without  any  hypocrisy.  15  Who  willeth  it. 
172 


Exhorts  to  live 


MAGNESIANS.        orderly  and  in  unify. 


he  sees,  but *  affronts  him  that  is 
invisible.  2For  whatsoever  of 
this  kind  is  done,  it  reflects  not 
upon  3  man,  but  upon  God,  who 
knows  the  secrets  of  our  hearts. 

9  It  is  therefore  fitting,  that 
we  should  not  only  be  called 
Christians,  but  be  so. 

10  As  some  call  indeed  their 
governor,  bishop ;  but  yet  do  all 
things  without  him. 

11  But  I  can  never  think  that 
such  as  these  have  a  good  con- 
science, seeing  that  they  are  not 
gathered  together  thoroughly  ac- 
cording to  God's  commandment. 

CHAP.  II. 

1   That  as  all  must  die,  4   he  exhorts 
them  to  live  orderly  and  in  unity. 

SEEING  then  all  things  have 
an  end,  there  are  these  two 
5  indifferently  set  before  us,  death 
and  life:  and  every  one  shall 
depart  unto  his  proper  place. 

2  For  as  there  are  two  sorts 
of  coins,  the  one  of  God,  the  other 
of  the  world ;  and  each  of  these 
has  its  proper  6  inscription  en- 
graven upon  it ;  so  also  is  it  here. 

3  The  unbelievers  are  of  this 
world ;  but  the  faithful,  through 
charity,  have  the  character  of 
God  the  Father  by  Jesus  Christ : 
by  whom  if  we  are  not  readily 
disposed  to  die  after  the  likeness 
of  his  passion,  his  life  is  not  in  us. 

4  Forasmuch,  therefore,  as  I 
have  in  the  persons  before  men- 
tioned seen  7all  of  you  in  faith 
and  charity ;  I  exhort  you  that 
ye  study  to  do  all  things  in  a 
8  divine  concord  : 

5  Your  bishop  presiding  in 
the  place  of  God ;  your  presby- 
ters in  the  place  of  the  council 
of  the  Apostles ;  and  your  dea- 


cons most  'dear  to  me  being 
entrusted  with  the  ministry  of 
Jesus  Christ ;  who  was  the  Father 
before  all  ages,  and  appeared  in 
the  10  end  to  us. 

6  Wherefore  taking  the  same 
"holy  course,  see  that  ye  all 
reverence  one  another:  and  let 
no  one  look  upon  his  neighbour 
after  the  flesh ;  but  do  ye  all 
mutually  love  each  other  in 
Jesus  Christ. 

7  Let  there  be  nothing  that 
may  be  able  to  make  a  division 
among  you ;  but  be  ye  united  to 
your  bishop,  and  those  who  pre- 
side over  you,  to  be  your  pattern 
and  direction  in  the  way  to  im- 
mortality. 

8  12  As  therefore  the  Lord  did 
nothing  without  the  Father, 
being  united  to  him ;  neither  by 
himself  nor  yet  by  his  Apostles, 
so  neither  do  ye  do  anything 
without  your  bishop  and  pres- 
byters : 

9  Neither  endeavour  to  let 
anything  appear  rational  to 
yourselves  apart ; 

10  But  being  come  together 
into  the  same  place  13  have  one 
common  prayer;  one  supplica- 
tion ;  one  mind ;  one  hope ;  one 
in  charity,  and  in  joy  undefiled. 

11  There  is  one  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  than  whom  nothing  is 
better.  Wherefore  ucome  ye  all 
together  as  unto  one  temple  of 
God ;  as  to  one  15 altar,  as  to  one 
Jesus  Christ ;  who  proceeded 
from  one  Father,  and  exists  in 
one,  and  is  returned  to  one. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  He  cautions  them  against  false  opin- 
ions. 4  Especially  those  of  16  Ebion 
and  the  Judaizing  Christians. 

1  Deludes.  2  Vid.  Epist.  Interp.  ad  loc.  3  Flesh.  *  Firmly.  5  Together. 
6  Character  set.  7  Your  whole  multitude.  8  The  concord  of  God.  9  Sweet. 
10  Was  made  manifest.  Heb.  ix.  2(3.  u  Habit  of  God.  u  John  x.  30,  xiv. 
11,  12,  xvii.  21,  22.  13  Eph.  iv.  3,  4,  5,  6.  u  Run.  15  John  xvi.  28. 
16  Pearson,  Vind.  Ign.  par.  2,  cap.  4. 

173 


Cautions  against 


MAGNESIANS. 


false  opinions. 


BE  not  deceived  with  l  strange  '  8  Wherefore  being  become 
doctrines ;  nor  with  old  fa-  his  disciples,  let  us  learn  to  live 
bles  which  are  unprofitable.  For  according  to  the  rules  of  Christi- 
if  we  still  continue  to  live  ac-  anity ;  for  whosoever  is  called 
cording  to  the  Jewish  law,  we  do  ;  by  any  other  name  12  besides 
confess  ourselves  not  to  have  re- '  this,  he  is  not  of  God. 


ceived  grace.  For  even  the 
most  2holy  prophets  lived  accord- 
ing to  Christ  Jesus. 

2  And  for  this  cause  were 
they  persecuted,  being  inspired 
by  his  grace,  a  to  convince  the 
unbelievers  and  disobedient  that 
there  is  one  God  who  has  mani- 
fested himself  by  Jesus  Christ 
his  Son ;  who  is  his  4  eternal 
word,  not  coming  forth  from  si- 
lence, who  in  all  things 
him  that  sent  him. 


9  Lay  aside  therefore  the  old 
and  sour  and  evil  leaven  ;  and 
be  ye  changed  into  the  new 
leaven,  which  is  Jesus  Christ. 

10  Be  ye  salted  in  him,  lest 
any  one  among  you  should  be 
corrupted ;  for  by  your  savour 
ye  shall  be  13  judged. 

11  It  is  absurd  to  name  Jesus 
Christ,  and  to  Judaize.  For  the 
Christian  religion  did  not  u  em- 
brace the  Jewish,  but  the  Jew-ish 
the   Christian ;     that   so    every 


3  Wherefore  if  they  who  were  i  tongue  that  believed  might  be 


brought  up  in  these  ancient 
6  laws  came  nevertheless  to  the 
newness  of  hope  :  no  longer  ob- 
serving sabbaths,  6but  keeping 
the  Lord's  day  in  which  also 
our  life  is  sprung  up  by  him, 
and  through  his  death,  7whom 
yet  some  deny : 

4  (By  which  mystery  we  have 
8  been  brought  to  believe  and 
therefore  wrait  that  we  may  be 
found  the  disciples  of  Jesus 
Christ,  our  only  master  :) 


gathered  together  unto  God. 

12  These  things,  my  beloved, 
I  write  unto  you  ;  not  that  I 
know   of  any  among   you   that 

15  lie   under   this  error  ;  but   as 

16  one  of  the  least  among  you,  I 
am  desirous  to  forewarn  you,  that 
ye  fall  not  into  the  "  snares  of 
false  doctrine. 

13  But  that  ye  be  fully  in- 
structed in  the  birth,  and  suffer- 
ing, and  resurrection  of  Jesus 
Christ,  our  hope  ;  which  was  ac- 


5  How  shall  we  be  able  to  complished  in  the  time  of  the 
live  9  different  from  him  whose  government  of  Pontius  Pilate, 
disciples  the  very  prophets  them- ;  and  that  most  truly  and  18  cer- 
selves  being,  did  by  the  spirit  tainly :  and  from  which  God  for- 
expect  him  as  their  master.  |  bid  that  any  among  you  should 

6  10And   therefore    he  whom  J  be  turned  aside, 
they  justly    waited    for,   being 


come,  raised  them  up  from  the 
dead. 

7  Let  us  not  then  be  insensi- 
ble of  his  goodness  ;  for  should 
he  "  have  dealt  with  us  accord- 
ing to  our  works,  we  had  not  now 
had  a  being. 


CHAP.  IV. 

1  Commends  their  faith  and  piety;  ex- 
horts them  to  persevere;  10  desires 
thdr  prayers  for  himself  and  the 
church  at  Antioch. 

MAY  I  therefore  have  joy  of 
you  in  all  things,  if  I  shall 

1  Heterodox.  2  Most  divine.  3  Fully  to  satisfy.  *  John,  i.  1.  5  Things. 
6  Or,  living  according  to-  7  Or,  which.  8  Received.  9  Without.  10  Matt.  xxvu.  52. 
11  Vid.  Annot.  Voss.  in  loc.  should  he  have  imitated  our  works,  Gr.  12  More 
than.  "Convicted,  overthrown.  u  Believe.  15  Have  yourselves  so. 
16  Lesser  than  you.  H  Hooks.  ls  Firmly. 
174 


Commends  subjection 


TRALLIANS. 


to  bi&hopa,  priests. 


be  worthy  of  it.  For  though  I 
am  bound,  yet  I  am  not  worthy 
to  be  compared  to  one  of  you 
that  are  at  liberty. 

2  I  know  that  ye  are  not 
puffed  up  ;  for  ye  have  Jesus 
Christ *  in  your  hearts. 

3  And  especially  when  I  com- 
mend you,  I  know  that  ye  are 
ashamed,  as  it  is  written,  2  The 
just  man  condemneth  himself. 

4  Study  therefore  to  be  confirm- 
ed in  the  doctrine  of  our  Lord, 
and  of  his  Apostles ;  that  so  what- 
ever ye  do,  ye  may  prosper  both 
in  body  and  spirit,  in  faith  and 
charity,  in  the  Son,  and  in  the 
Father  and  in  the  Holy  Spirit:  in 
the  beginning,  and  in  the  end. 

5  Together  with  your  most 
worthy  bishop,  and  the  3  well- 
wrought  spiritual  crown  of  your 
presbytery,  and  your  deacons, 
which  are  according  to  God. 

6  Be  subject  to  your  bishop, 
and  to  one  another,  as  Jesus 
Christ  to  the  Father,  according 
to  the  flesh  :  and  the  Apostles 
both  to  Christ,  and  to  the  Father, 
and  to  the  Holy  Ghost :  that  so 
ye  may  *  be  united  both  in  body 
and  spirit.  


7  5  Knowing  you  to  be  full  of 
God,  I  have  the  more  briefly  ex- 
horted you. 

8  Be  mindful  of  me  in  your 
prayers,  that  I  may  B  attain  unto 
God,  and  of  the  Church  that  is 
in  Syria,  from  7  which  I  am  not 
worthy  to  be  called. 

9  For  I  stand  in  need  of  your 
joint  prayers  in  God,  and  of 
your  charity,  that  the  church 
which  is  in  Syria  may  be 
thought  worthy  to  be  8  nourished 
by  your  church. 

10  The  Ephesians  9  from 
Smyrna  salute  you,  from  which 
place  I  write  unto  you  :  (being 
present  here  to  the  glory  of  God, 
in  like  manner  as  you  are,)  who 
have  in  all  things  refreshed  me, 
together  with  Polycarp,  the 
bishop  of  the  Smyrnaeans. 

11  The  rest  of  the  churches 
in  the  honour  of  Jesus  Christ, 
salute  you. 

12  10  Farewell,  and  be  ye 
strengthened  in  the  concord  of 
God :  u  enjoying  his  inseparable 
spirit,  which  is  Jesus  Christ. 

Tf   To  the  Magnesians. 


The  EPISTLE  of  IGNATIUS  to  the  TRALLIANS. 


CHAP.  I. 

1  Acknowledge*  the  corning  of  their  bi- 
shop. 5  Commends  them  for  their 
subjection  to  their  bishop,  priests,  and 
deacons  ;  and  exhorts  them  to  continue 
in  it:  15  is  afraid  even  of  his  over- 
great  desire  to  suffer,  lest  it  should  be 
prejudicial  to  him. 

IGNATIUS,  who  is  also  called 
Theophorus,  to  the  holy 
church  which  is  at  Tralles  in 
Asia :  beloved   of  God  the   Fa- 


worthy  of  God,  having  peace 
12  through  the  flesh  and  blood, 
and  passion  of  Jesus  Christ  our 
hope,  in  the  resurrection  which 
is  13  by  him  :  which  also  I  salute 
in  its  fulness,  continuing  in  the 
apostolical  character,  wishing  all 
joy  and  happiness  unto  it. 

2  I  have  "heard  of  your 
blameless  and  15  constant  dispo- 
sition   through  patience,  which 


ther  of  Jesus  Christ,  elect  and  1 16  not  only  appears  in  your  out- 
1  In  yourselves.  2Prov.  xviii.  17  Sept.  3  Worthily  complicated.  4  There 
may  be  a  union  both  fleshly  and  spiritual.  s  Eph.  nL  4.  "Find,  enjoy. 
7  Whence.  8  Bedewed.  Vid.  Epist.  Inter,  in  loc.  9  Which  came  to  Smyrna 
upon  mv  account.  »"E^«*.  "Possessing.  "In.  13  Unto.  "  Known. 
^Inseparable  mind.  16  Which  you  have  not  according  to  use,  but  according 
to 


175 


■and  deacons. 


TRALLIANS. 


Desires  to  suffer. 


ward  conversation,  but  is  natur- 
ally rooted  and  grounded  in  you. 

3  In  like  manner  as  Polybius 
your  bishop  has  declared  unto 
me,  who  came  to  me  to  Smyrna, 
by  the  will  of  God  and  Jesus 
Christ,  and  so  rejoiced  together 
with  me  x  in  my  bonds  for  Jesus 
Christ,  that  in  effect  I  saw  your 
whole  2  church  in  him. 

4  Having  therefore  received 
3  testimony  of  your  good  will  to- 
wards me  i  for  God's  sake,  by 
him;  5I  seemed  to  find  you,  as 
also  I  knew  that  ye  were  the6 
followers  of  God. 

5  For 7  whereas  ye  are  subject 
to  your  bishop  as  to  Jesus  Christ, 
ye  appear  to  me  to  live  not  after 
the  manner  of  men,  but  accord- 
ing to  Jesus  Christ;  who  died 
for  us,  that  so  believing  in  his 
death,  ye  might 8  escape  death. 

6  It  is  therefore  necessary, 
that  as  ye  do,  so  without  your 
bishop,  you  should  do  nothing : 
also  be  ye  subject  to  your  pres- 
byters, as  to  the  Apostles  of 
Jesus  Christ  our  hope ;  in  whom 
if  we  walk,  we  shall  be  found  in 
him. 

7  9  The  deacons  also,  as  being 
the  ministers  of  the  mysteries  of 
Jesus  Christ,  must  by  all  means 
please  ye.  For  they  are  not  the 
10  ministers  of  meat  and  drink, 
but  of  the  church  of  God.  Where- 
fore they  must  avoid  all  offences, 
as  they  would  do  fire. 

8  In  like  manner  let  us  rever- 
ence the  deaconsnas  Jesus  Christ ; 
and  the  bishop  as  the  father  ; 
and  the  presbyters  as  the  Sanhe- 


drim of  God,  and  college  of  the 
Apostles. 

9  Without  these  there  is  no 
13  church.  Concerning  all  which 
I  am  persuaded  that  ye 13  think 
after  the  very  same  manner :  for 
I  have  received,  and  even  now 
have  with  me,  the  pattern  of 
your  love,  in  your  bishop. 

10  Whose  very "  look  is  in- 
structive ;  and  whose  mildness 
15  powerful  :  16whom  I  am  per- 
suaded, the  very  Atheists  them- 
selves cannot  but  reverence. 

11  But  because  I  have  a  love 
towards  you,  I  will  not  write  any 
more  sharply  unto  you  about  this 
matter,  though  I  very  well  might ; 
but  now  I  have  done  so ;  lest  be- 
ing a  condemned  man,  I  should 
seem  to  prescribe  to  you  as  an 
Apostle. 

12  I  have  "  great  knowledge 
in  God ;  but  1 18  refrain  myself, 
lest  I  should  perish  in  my  boast- 
ing. 

13  For  now  I  ought  the  more 
to  fear ;  and  not  to  hearken  to 
those  that  would  puff  me  up. 

14  For  they  that  speak  to  me, 
in  my  praise,  chasten  me. 

15  For  I  indeed  19  desire  to 
suffer,  but  I  cannot  tell  whether 
I  am  worthy  so  to  do. 

16  20And  this  desire,  though 
to  others  it  does  not  appear,  yet 
to  myself  it  is  for  that  very  rea- 
son the  more  violent.  I  have, 
therefore,  need  of21  moderation  ; 
by  which  the  prince  of  this 
world  is  destroyed. 

17  Am  I  not  able  to  write  to 
you  of  heavenly  things  ? — But  I 


1  Who  am  bound.        2  Multitude.         s  Your  benevolence.         4  According 
to  God.  5  Vid.  Vossium  in  loc.  6  Imitators.  7  When.  8Flee 

from.  9  Vid  Vossium  in  loc.  10 Deacons.  u  As  also  the  bishop  like  Jesus 
Christ  the  Son  of  the  Father.  Vossius  in  loc.  vid.  aliter  Cotelerium.  12  A 
church  is  not  called.  13So  do.  l4  Habit  of  body  is  great  instruction. 
15  Power.  16  Vid.  Vossium  et  Usserium  in  loc.  1T I  understand  many 

things  18  Measure.  wLove.  20  Vid.  Annot.  Vossii  in  loc.  ^Mild- 
ness. 

176 


Warns  against  heresy.        TRALLIANS.  Exhorts  to  humility, 


fear  lest  I  should  harm  you,  who 
are  yet  but  babes  in  Christ :  (ex- 
cuse me  this  care  ;)  and  lest  per- 
chance being  not  able  to  receive 
them,  ye  should  be  choken  with 
them. 

1 3  For  even  I  myself,  although 
I  am  in  bonds, l  yet  am  not  there- 
fore able  to  understand  heavenly 
things : 

19  As  the  places  of  the  angels, 
and  the  several  companies  of 
them,  under  their  respective 
princes ;  things  visible  and  in- 
visible ;  but  in  these  I  am  yet  a 
learner. 

20  For  many  things  are  want- 
ing to  us,  that  we  come  not  short 
of  God. 

CHAP.  II. 

1  Warns  them  against  heretics,  4  exhorts 
them  to  humility  and  unity,  10 
briefly  sets  before  them  the  true  doc- 
trine concerning  Christ. 

I  EXHORT  you  therefore,  or 
rather  not  I,  but  the  love  of 
Jesus  Christ;  that  ye  use  none 
but  Christian  nourishment;  ab- 
staining from  pasture  which  is  of 
another  kind,  I  mean  heresy. 

2  2  For  they  that  are  heretics, 
confound  together  the  doctrine 
of  Jesus  Christ,  with  their  own 
poison :  3  whilst  they  seem  worthy 
of  belief: 

3  As  men  give  a  deadly  potion 
mixed  with  sweet  wine;  which  he 
who  drinks  of,  does  with  the 
treacherous  pleasure  sweetly 
drink  in  his  own  death. 

4  Wherefore  guard  yourselves 
against  such  persons.  And  that 
you  will  do  if  you  are  not  puffed 
up ;  but  continue  inseparable 
from  Jesus  Christ  our  God,  and 


from  your  bishop,  and  from  the 
commands  of  the  Apostles. 

5  *  He  that  is  within  the  altar 
is  pure;  but  he  that  is  without, 
that  is,  that  does  anything  with- 
out the  bishop,  the  presbyters, 
and  deacons,  is  not  pure  in  his 
conscience. 

6  Not  that  I  know  there  is  any 
thing  of  this  nature  among  you  ; 
but  I  fore-arm  you,  as  being 
greatly  beloved  by  me,  foreseeing 
the  snares  of  the  devil. 

7  Wherefore  putting  on  meek- 
ness, renew  yourselves  in  faith, 
that  is,  the  flesh  of  the  Lord  ;  and 
in  charity,  that  is,  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

8  Let  no  man  have  any 5 
grudge  against  his  neighbour. 
Give  no  occasion  to  the  Gentiles; 
lest  by  means  of  a  few  foolish 
men,  the  whole  congregation  of 
God  be  evil  spoken  of. 

9  For  woe  to  that  man6  through 
whose  vanity  my  name  is  blas- 
phemed by  any. 

10  Stop  your  ears  therefore, 
as  often  as  any  one  shall  speak  7 
contrary  to  Jesus  Christ ;  who 
was  of  the  race  of  David,  of  the 
Virgin  Mary. 

11  Who  was  truly  born  and 
did  eat  and  drink ;  was  truly  per- 
secuted under  Pontius  Pilate ; 
was  truly  crucified  and  dead ; 
both  those  in  heaven  and  on 
earth,  8  being  spectators  of  it. 

12  Who  was  also  truly  raised 
from  the  dead  9  by  his  Father, 
after  the  same  manner  as  10he  will 
also  raise  up  us  who  believe  in 
him  by  Christ  Jesus ;  without 
whom  we  have  no  true  life. 

13  But   if,  as   some  who  are 


1  Orders.  2Vid.  de  hoc  loco  conjecturas  Vossii,  Cotelorii,  et  Junii  apod 
Usserium.  Comp.  Epist.  Intercol.  in  loc.  et  Voss.  Annot.  in  Epiat.  ad  Phil. 
p.  281.  3  Being  believed  for  their  dignity.  4  Vid.  Uaserii  Obs.  Marg.  Comp. 
Coteler.  ib.  »  Any  thing.  B  Through  whom  in  vanity,  Isaiah  lii.  5.  ''With- 
out. 8  Seeing,  or  looking  on.  9  His  Father  raising  him.  10  The  Father. 
12  177 


unity  and  prayer 


ROMANS. 


for  the  Church. 


Atheists,  that  is  to  say  infidels, 
pretend,  that  he  only  seemed  to 
suffer  :  (they  themselves  only 
seeming  to  exist )  why  then  am  I 
bound  I — Why  do  I  desire  to 
fight  with  beasts  ? — Therefore  do 
I  die  in  vain :  therefore  I  will 
not  speak  falsely  against  the 
Lord. 

14  Flee  therefore  these  evil 
1  sprouts  which  bring  forth  dead- 
ly fruit ;  of  which  if  any  one 
taste,  he  shall  presently  die. 

15  For  these  are  not  the  plants 
of  the  Father;  seeingif  they  were, 
they  would  appear  to  be  the  bran- 
ches of  the  cross,  and  their  fruit 
would  be  incorruptible ;  by  which 
he  invites  you  through  his  pas- 
sion, who  are  members  of  him. 

16  For  the  head  cannot  be 
without  its  members,  God  having 
promised  a  union,  that  is  himself. 

CHAP.  III. 

He  again  exhorts  to  unity:  and  desires 
their  prayers  for  himself  and  for  his 
church  at  Antioch. 

I  SALUTE  you  from  Smyrna, 
2  together  with  the  churches 
of  God  that  are  present  with  me ; 
who  have  refreshed  me  in  all 
things,  both  in  the  flesh  and  in 
the  spirit. 

2  My  bonds,  which  I  carry 
about  me  for  the  sake  of  Christ, 
(beseeching  him  that  I  may  at- 
tain unto  God)  exhort  you,  that 
you  continue  in  3  concord  among 


( yourselves,  and  in  prayer  with 
one  another. 

3  For  it  becomes  every  one  of 
!  you,  especially  the  presbyters,  to 

refresh  the  bishop,  to  the  honour 
I  of  the  Father  of  Jesus  Christ 
and  of  the  Apostles. 

4  I  beseech  you,  that  you 
hearken  to  me  in  love ;  that  I 
may  not  *  by  those  things  which 
I  write,  rise  up  in  witness  against 
you. 

5  Pray  also  for  me ;  who 
through  the  mercy  of  God  stand 
in  need  of  your  prayers,  that  I 
may  be  worthy  of  the  portion 
which  I  am  about  to  obtain  that 
I  be  not  found  a  reprobate. 

6  The  love  of  those  who  are 
at  Smyrna  and  Ephesus  salute 
you.  Remember  in  your  prayers 
the  church  of  Syria,  from  which 
I  am  not  worthy  to  be  called, 
being  one  of  the  least  5of  it. 

7  Fare  ye  well  in  Jesus  Christ ; 
being  subject  to  your  bishop  as 
to  the  command  of  God ;  and  so 
likewise  to  the  presbytery. 

8  Love  every  one  his  brother 
with  an  6  unfeigned  heart.  '  My 
soul  be  your  expiation,  not  only 
now,  but  when  I  shall  have  at- 
tained unto  God ;  for  I  am  yet 
under  danger. 

9  But  the  Father  is  faithful 
in  Jesus  Christ,  to  fulfil  both 
mine  and  your  petition ;  in  whom 
may  ye  be  found  unblamable. 

f  To  the  Trallians. 


The  EPISTLE  of  IGNATIUS  to  the  ROMANS. 

CHAP.  I.  jTGNATIUS,8who  is  also  called 

He  testifies  his  desire  to  see,  and  his  J_  Theophorus,  to  the  church 
hopes'of  suffering  for  Christ,  5  which  ^hich  has  obtained  mercy  9from 
he  earnestly  entreats  them  not  to  pre-  th  majesty  0f  the  Most  High 
vent,    10   but   to  pray  for   him,  that    „     ,       •>      ^    ,  .  ,      10 ,  fc 

God   would   strengthen  him  to    the   Father,  and  his  only  10  begotten 
combat.  i  Son  Jesus  Christ ;  beloved,  and 

1  Plants.     *  i.  e.  The  delegates  of  the  church.     3  The  concord  of  you.     4  Ee 
•a  testimonv  amon?  von,  writing.        5  Them.      6  Undivided.      7  Vin\  Anrot. 
Vo*sii  et  Coteler.  in'loc.     8  Vid.  Pearson.    Vind.  Ignat,  par  2,  ch.  xvi.  p.  214. 
s  In.      ,0  Omitted,  Gr. 
176 


Hopes  to  suffer 


ROMANS. 


for  Christ's  sake. 


illuminated  '  through  the  will  of 
him  who  willeth  all  things  which 
are  according  to  the  love  of 
Jesus  Christ  our  2God  which 
also  presides  in  the  3  place  of 
the  region  of  the  Romans ;  and 
which  *  I  salute  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  (5as  being)  united 
both  in  flesh  and  spirit  to  all  his 
commands,  and  6  filled  with  the 
grace  of  God  ;  7  (all  joy)  in  Jesus 
Christ  our  God. 

2  "Forasmuch  as  I  have  at 
last 9  obtained  through  my  pray- 
ers to  God,  to  see  your  10  faces, 
11  which  I  much  desired  to  do  ; 
being  bound  in  Jesus  Christ,  I 
hope  ere  long  to  salute  you,  if  it 
shall  be  the  will  12of  God  to 
grant  me  to  attain  unto  the  end 
I  long  for. 

3  For  the  beginning  is  well 
disposed,  if  I  shall  but  have 
grace,  without  hindrance,  to  re- 
ceive 13  what  is  appointed  for  me. 

4  But  I  fear  your  love,  lest  it 
do  me  an  injury.  For  it  is  easy 
for  you  to  do  what  you  please ; 
but  it  u  will  be  hard  for  me  to 
attain  unto  God,  if  you  spare  me. 

5  But  I  15  would  not  that  ye 
should  please  men,  but  God 
16  whom  also  ye  do  please.  For 
neither  shall  I  hereafter  have 
such  an  opportunity  "  of  going 
unto  God ;  nor  will  you  if  ye 
shall  now  be  silent,  ever  be  en- 
tituled  to  a  better  work.     For  if 


you  shall  be  silent  18in  my  behalf, 
I  shall  be  made  partaker  of  God. 

6  But  if  you  shall  love  my 
19  body,  I  shall  have  my  course 
again  to  run.  Wherefore  ye 
cannot  do  me  a  greater  kindness, 
than  to  sutler  me  to  be  sacrificed 
unto  God,  now  that  the  altar  is 
already  prepared  : 

7  That  20when  ye  shall  be 
gathered  together  in  love,  ye 
may  "  give  thanks  to  the  Father 
through  Christ  Jesus;  that  he 
has  vouchsafed  12  to  bring  a 
bishop  of  Syria  unto  you,  being 
called  from  the  east  unto  the  west. 

8  For  it  is  good  for  me  to  set 
from  the  world,  unto  God ;  that 
I  may  rise  again  unto  him. 

9  Ye  have  never  envied  any 
one;  ye  have  taught  other.  I 
would  therefore  that  ye  23  should 
now  do  those  things  yourselves, 
which  in  your  instructions  you 
have  2i  prescribed  to  others. 

10  Only  pray  for  me,  that 
God  would  give  me  both  inward 
and  outward  strength,  that  I 
may  not  only  say,  but  will ;  nor 
be  only  called  a  Christian,  but 
be  found  one. 

11  For  if  I  shall  be  found  a 
Christian,  I  may  then  deservedly 
be  called  one;  and  be  thought 
faithful,  when  I  shall  no  longer 
appear  to  the  world. 

12  Nothing  is  25good,  that  is 
seen. 


1  In.  2  God ;  which  also  presides  in  the  place  of  the  region  of  the  Komans, 
worthy  of  God ;  most  decent,  most  blessed,  most  praised,  most  worthy  to  ob- 
tain what  it  desires;  most  pure,  most  charitable,  called  by  the  name  of  Christ 
and  the  Father;  Gr.  3  Type  of  the  chorus,  t.  e.,  the  church  of  the  Komans. 
See  Voss.  Annot.  in  loc.  *  Also.  6  The  Son  of  the  Father;  to  those  who  are 
— Gr.  6  Wholly  filled.  Gr.  7  (Being  absolutely  separated  from  any  other 
colour;  much  pure,  or  immaculate  joy.)  8  Gr.  9  Vid.  Voss.  Annot.  in  loc. 
10  Worthy  of  God.  n  And  have  received  even  more  than  I  asked,  being 
bound.  12  Gr.  u  My  lot.  M  Is.  15  I  will  not  please  you  as  men.  Gr.  10  As. 
17  Attaining  unto.  ls  From  me.  19  Flesh.  20  Being  become  a  chorus.  n  Sing. 
22  That  a  bishop  of  Syria  should  be  found.  m  That  those  things  also  should 
be  firm.  24  Commanded.  Vid.  Annot.  Userii  in  loc.  N.  26,  27.  2i  Nothing 
that  is  seen  is  eternal:  for  the  things  which  are  seen  are  temporal,  but  the 
things  that  are  not  seen  are  eternal.   Gr. 

179 


Earnestly  desires 


ROMANS. 


martyrdom. 


13  For  even  our  God,  Jesus 
Christ,  now  that  he  is  in  the 
Father,  does  so  much  the  more 
appear. 

14  A  Christian  is  not  a  work 
of  '  opinion ;  but  of  greatness  of 
mind,  ( 2  especially  when  he  is 
hated  by  the  world.) 

CHAP.  II. 

Expresses  his  great  desire  and  determi- 
nation to  suffer  martyrdom. 

I  WRITE  to  the  churches,  and 
3  signify  to  them  all,  that  I 
am  willing  to  die  for  God,  unless 
you  *  hinder  me. 

2  I  beseech  you  that  you 
6  shew  not  an  unseasonable  good 
will  towards  me.  Suffer  me  to 
be  food  to  the  wild  beasts ;  by 
whom  I  shall  attain  unto  God. 

3  For  I  am  the  wheat  of  God ; 
and  I  shall  be  ground  by  the 
teeth  of  the  wild  beasts,  that  I 
maybe  found  the  pure  bread  6of 
Christ. 

4  Rather 'encourage the  beasts, 
that  they  may  become  my  sepul- 
chre; and  may  leave  nothing 
of  my  body;  that  being  dead 
I  may  not  be  troublesome  to  any. 

5  Then  shall  I  be  truly  the 
disciple  of  Jesus  Christ,  when 
the  world  shall  not  see  so  much 
as  my  body,  Pray  therefore 
unto  Christ  for  me,  that  by  these 
instruments  I  may  be  made  the 
sacrifice  8of  God. 

6  I  do  not,  as  Peter  and  Paul, 
command  you.  They  were  Apos- 
tles, I  a  condemned  man ;  they 
were  free,  but  I  am  even  to  this 
day  a  servant : 


7  But  if  I  shall  suffer,  I  shall 
then  become  the  freeman  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  and  shall  rise  9  free. 
And  now,  being  in  bonds,  I 
learn,  not  to  desire  10  anything. 

8  From  Syria  even  unto  Rome, 
I  fight  with  beasts  both  by  sea 
and  land ;  both  night  and  day  : 
being  bound  to  ten  leopards,  that 
is  to  say,  to  such  a  band  of  sol- 
diers ;  who,  though  treated  with 
all  manner  of  kindness,  are  the 
worse  for  it. 

9  But  I  am  the  more  in- 
structed by  their  injuries  ;  u  yet 
am  I  not  therefore  justified. 

10  May  I  enjoy  the  wild 
beasts  that  are  prepared  for  me ; 
which  also  I  wish  may  12  exercise 
all  their  fierceness  upon  me. 

11  And  whom  for  that  end  I 
will  13  encourage,  that  they  may 
be  sure  to  devour  me,  and  not 
serve  me  as  they  have  done  some, 
whom  out  of  fear  they  have  not 
touched.  But,  and  if  they  will 
not  do  it  willingly,  I  will  pro- 
voke them  to  it. 

12  Pardon  me  in  this  matter ; 
I  know  what  is  profitable  for  me. 
Now  I  begin  to  u  be  a  disciple. 
Nor  15  shall  anything  move  me, 
whether  visible  or  invisible,  that 
I  may  attain  to  Jesus  Christ. 

13  Let  fire,  and  the  cross  ;  let 
the  16  companies  of  wild  beasts  ; 
17  let  breakings  of  bones  and  tear- 
ing of  members  ;  let  the  18  shat- 
tering in  pieces  of  the  whole 
body,  and  all  the  wicked  19  tor- 
ments of  the  devil  come  upon 
me  ;  only  let  20  me  enjoy  Jesus 
Christ. 


1  Persuasion,  or  silence.  Gr.  2  (Desunt,  Gr.)  3  Vid.  Usser.  Annot.  N.  31. 
4  Forbid  me.  6  Be  not.  6  Vid  Lat.  Vet.  Interps.  et  Annot.  Usser.  N.  32. 
7  Flatter.  8  Desunt.  Gr.  9  Free  in  him.  Gr.  10  Any  worldly  or  vain  things. 
Gr.  u  1  Cor.  iv.  4.  12  Vid.  Voss.  in  loc.  Usser.  Annot.  N.  48.  May  be 
ready  for  me.  Gr.  "Usser.  Annot.  N.  48.  14Luke  xiv.  27.  l5Vid.  Co- 
teler.  in  loc.  Rom.  viii.  38,  39.  '6  Force,  or  rage.  l7  Let  tearings,  and  rend- 
ings.  Gr.  ls  Vid.  Usser.  Annot.  N.  56.  19  lb.  N.  57.  20  That  I  may  enjoy. 
180 


Further  desires 


ROMANS. 


to  suffer. 


14  All  the  '  ends  of  the  world, 
and  the  kingdoms  2of  it,  will 
profit  me  nothing :  I  would  ra- 
ther die  'for  Jesus  Christ,  than 
rule  to  the  utmost  ends  of  the 
earth.  *  Him  I  seek  who  died 
for  us ;  him  I  desire,  that  rose 
again  for  us.  This  is  the  5  gain 
that  is  laid  up  for  me. 

15  Pardon  me,  my  brethren, 
ye  shall  not  hinder  me  from  liv- 
ing. 6  Nor  seeing  I  desire  to  go  to 
God,  may  you  separate  me  from 
him,  for  the  sake  of  this  world  ; 
nor  reduce  me  by  any  of  the 
7  desires  of  it.  Suffer  me  to  8  en- 
ter into  pure  light :  Where  being 
come,  I  shall  be  indeed  the  9  ser- 
vant of  10  God. 

16  Permit  me  to  imitate  the 
passion  of  my  God.  If  any  one 
has  him  within  himself,  let  him 
consider  what  I  desire  ;  and  let 
him  have  compassion  on  me,  as 
knowing  "  how  I  am  straighten- 
ed. 

CHAP.  III. 

Further  expresses  his  desire  to  suffer. 

THE  prince  of  this  world 
would  fain  carry  me  away, 
and  corrupt  12  my  resolution  to- 
wards my  God.  Let  none  of  you 
13  therefore  help  uhim :  Rather  do 
ye  join  with  me,  that  is,  with 
God. 

2  Do  not  speak  with  Jesus 
Christ,  and  yet  covet  the  world. 
Let  not  any  envy  dwell  with  you ; 


No  not  though  I  myself  when  I 
shall  be  come  unto  you,  should 
exhort  you  to  it,  yet  do  not  ye 
hearken  to  me  ;  but  rather  be- 
lieve what  I  now  write  to  you. 

3  For  though  I  am  alive  at 
the  writing  this,  yet  my  desire  is 
to  die.  My  love  is  crucified  ; 
15  (and  the  16  fire  that  is  within 
me  does  not  desire  any  water ; 
but  being  alive  and  "  springing 
within  me,  says,)  Come  to  the 
Father. 

4  I  take  no  pleasure  in  the 
food  of  corruption,  nor  in  the 
pleasures  of  this  life. 

5  I  desire  the  bread  of  God 
18  which  is  the  flesh  of  Jesus 
Christ,  (19  of  the  seed  of  David  ; 
and  the  drink  that  I  long  for)  is 
his  blood,  which  is  incorruptible 
love.20 

6  I  have  no  desire  to  live  any 
longer  after  the  manner  of  men, 
"neither  shall  I,  if  you  consent. 
Be  ye  therefore  willing,  that  ye 
yourselves  also  may  be  a  pleasing 
to  God.  I  23  exhort  you  u  in  a 
few  words ;  I  pray  you  believe  me. 

7  Jesus  Christ  will  shew  you 
that  I  speak  truly.  My  mouth 
is  without  deceit,  and  the  Father 
hath  truly  spoken  25  by  it.  Pray 
therefore  for  me,  that  I  may  ac- 
complish what  I  desire. 

8  I  have  not  written  to  you 
after  the  flesh,  but  according  to 
the  will  of  God.  If  I  shall  suffer, 
26  ye  have  loved  me ;    but  if  I 


1  Gr.  Pleasures.  2Of  this  age.  3Gr.  unto.  *  For  what  is  a  man  profited  if  he 
shall  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul.  Gr.  Add.  5  Usury.  Gr.  Vid. 
Voss.  Correct,  p.  301.  6  Nor  desire  that  I  should  die,  who  seek  to  co  to  God,  re- 
joice not  in  the  world.  Gr.  7  Bv  matter.  8  Take:  lav  hold  on.  9  Man.  10  Vid. 
Annot.  Voss.  in  loc.  u  What  things  constrain  me.  n  Mind  :  will.  »  \Y  ho  are 
present.  "Vid.  Voss.  Annot.  in  loc.  15  (And  there  is  not  any  fire  within 
me  that  loves  matter,  but  living  and  speaking  water  saying  within  me.  Gr.) 
16  Cotelerius  aliter  explicat.  Annot.  in  loc  Usser.  N.  79.  n\  MB.  in  loc. 
Contr.  Coteler.  q.  v.  18The  heavenlv  bread  which  is.  Gr.  19  (I he  hon  ol 
God  made  in  these  last  times  of  the  seed  of  David  and  Abraham,  and  the 
drink  of  God  that  I  long  for.  Gr.).  20Gr.  Adds,  and  perpetual  life.  ■  And 
that  shall  be.  »  Willed.  »  Vid.  Annot.  Voss.  in  loc.  «  By  a  short  letter. 
«In.    26  Ye  have  willed  it. 


Commends  their 


PHILADELPHIA^. 


bishop. 


shall  be  rejected,  '  ye  have  hated 
me. 

9  Remember  in  your  prayers 
the  church  of  Syria,  which  now 
eujoys  God  for  its  shepherd  in- 
stead of  me :  2  Let  Jesus  Christ 
only  3  oversee  it,  and  your  char- 
ity. 

10  But  I  am  even  ashamed 
to  be  reckoned  as  one  of  them : 
For  neither  am  I  worthy,  being 
the  least  among  them,  and  as 
one  *  born  out  of  due  season. 
But  through  mercy  I  have  ob- 
tained to  be  somebody,  if  I  shall 
get  unto  God. 

1 1  My  spirit  salutes  you ;  and 
the  charity  of  the  churches  that 
have  received  me  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  ;  not  as  a  passen- 
ger. For  even  they  that  were 
not  near  to  me  in  the  way,  have 
gone  before  me  to  the  next  city 
to  meet  me. 


12  These  things  I  write  to 
you  from  Smyrna,  by  the  most 
worthy  of  the  church  of 
Ephesus. 

13  There  is  now  with  me,  to- 
gether with  many  others,  Crocus, 
most  beloved  of  me.  As  for 
those  which  are  6  come  from  Sy- 
ria, and  are  gone  before  me  to 
Rome,  to  the  glory  of  God,  I 
suppose  you  are  not  ignorant  of 
them. 

14  Ye  shall  therefore  signify 
to  them,  that  I  draw  near,  for 
they  are  all  worthy  both  of 
God  and  of  you :  Whom  it  is 
fit  that  you  refresh  in  all  things. 

15  This  have  I  written  to 
you,  the  day  before  the  ninth  of 
the  calends  of  September.  6Be 
strong  unto  the  end,  in  the  pa- 
tience of  Jesus  Christ. 7 

Tf  To  the  Romans. 


The  EPISTLE  of  IGNATIUS 
CHAP.  I. 

Commends  their  bishop  whom  they  had 
sent  unto  him,  5  warns  them  ayainst 
divisions  and  schism. 

IGNATIUS,  who  is  also  called 
Theophorus,  to  the  church 
of  God  the  Father,  and  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  at 
Philadelphia  in  Asia ;  which  has 
obtained  mercy,  being  fixed  in 
the  concord  of  God,  and  rejoic- 
ing 8  evermore  in  the  passion  of 
our  Lord,  and  being  fulfilled  in 
all  mercy  through  his  resurrec- 
tion :  Which  also  I  salute  in  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  9  which  is 
our  eternal  and  undefiled  joy  ; 
especially  if  they  are  at  unity 
with  the  bishop,  and  presbyters 
who  are  with  him,  and  the  dea- 

1  Viz.  as  unworthy  to  suffer.  2  Vid.  Vet.  Interp.  Lat.  3  Shall  oversee  it. 
4  1  Cor.  xv.  8.  5  Vid.  Vet.  Interp.  Lat.  6  That  is  the  xxxiiid  of  August. 
Or.  'Amen.Gr.  8  Inseparably-  9  Vid.  Vet.  Interpr.  Lat.  10In.  "Will,  order. 
12  Ministry  belonging  to  the  public.  13In.  l4  Has  struck  me  with  wonder. 
15  Tho-e  that  speak  vain  things. 
182 


to  the  PHILADELPHIANS. 
cons  appointed  10  according  to 
the  "mind  of  Jesus  Christ ;  whom 
he  has  settled  according  to  his 
own  will  in  all  firmness  by  his 
Holy  Spirit: 

2  Which  bishop  I  know  ob- 
tained "that  great  ministry 
among  you,  not  of  himself,  nei- 
ther by  men,  nor  out  of  vain 
glory  ;  but  13  by  the  love  of  God 
the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

3  Whose  moderation  "  I  ad- 
mire ;  who  by  his  silence  is  able 
to  do  more  than  15  others  with 
all  their  vain  talk.  For  he  is 
fitted  to  the  commands,  as  the 
harp  to  its  strings. 

4  Wherefore  my  soul  esteems 
his  mind  towards  God  most  hap- 


Exhorts  to 


PHILADELPHIANS. 


py,  knowing  it  to  be  fruitful  in 
all  virtue,  and  perfect;  full  of 
constancy,    free    from    passion, 

1  and  according  to  all  the  mod- 
eration of  the  living  God. 

5  Wherefore  as  becomes  the 
children  both  of  the  light  and 
of  truth ;  flee  divisions  and 
false  doctrines  ;  but  where  your 
shepherd  is,  there  do  ye,  as 
sheep,  follow  after. 

6  For  there  are  many  wolves 

2  who  seem  worthy  of  belief, 
that  with  a  3  false  pleasure  lead 
captive  those  that  run  in  the 
course  of  God  ;  but  in  the  con- 
cord they  shall  find  no  place. 

7  Abstain  therefore  from 
those  evil  herbs  which  Jesus 
Christ  does  not  dress  ;  because 
such  are  not  the  plantation  of 
the  Father.  Not  that  I  have 
found  any  division  among  you, 
but  rather  all  manner  of  *  purity. 

8  For  as  many  as  are  of  God, 
and  of  Jesus  Christ,  are  also 
with  their  bishop.  And  as  many 
as  shall  with  repentance  return 
into  the  unity  of  the  church, 
even  these  shall  also  be  the  ser- 
vants of  God,  that  they  may 
live  according  to  Jesus. 

9  Be  not  deceived,  brethren  ; 
if  any  one  follows  him  that 
makes  a  schism  in  the  church, 
he  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom 
of  God.  If  any  one  walks  after 
any  other  opinion,  he  agrees  not 
with  the  passion  of  Christ. 

10  Wherefore  let  it  be  your 
endeavour  to  partake  all  of  the 
same  holy  eucharist. 

11  For  there  is  but  one  flesh 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and 
one  cup  in  the  unity  of  his 
blood  ;  one  altar  ; 

12  As   also    there   is  one  bi- 


shop, together  with  his  presby- 
tery, and  the  deacons  my  fellow- 
servants  :  that  so  whatsoever  ye 
do,  ye  may  do  it  according  to  the 
will  of  God. 

CHAP.  II. 

Desires  their  prayers,  and  to  be  united 
but  not  to  Judaize. 

MY  brethren,  the  love  I  have 
towards  you  makes  me 
the  5  more  large ;  and  having  a 
great  joy  in  you,  I  endeavour  to 
secure  you  against  danger  ;  or 
rather  not  I,  but  Jesus  Christ ; 
in  whom  being  bound  I  the  more 
fear,  as  being  yet  only  6  on  the 
way  to  suffering. 

2  But  your  prayer  to  God 
shall  make  me  perfect,  that  I 
may  attain  to  that  portion,  which 
by  God's  mercy  is  allotted  to 
me :  Fleeing  to  the  Gospel  as  to 
the  flesh  of  Christ ;  and  to  the 
Apostles  as  to  the  presbytery  of 
the  church. 

3  Let  us  also  love  the  pro- 
phets, forasmuch  as  they  also 
have  7  led  us  to  the  Gospel,  and 
to  hope  in  8  Christ,  and  to  expect 
him. 

4  In  whom  also  believing  they 
were  saved  in  the  unity  of 
Jesus  Christ;  being  holy  men, 
worthy  to  be  loved,  and  had  in 
wonder ; 

5  Who  have  received  testi- 
mony from  Jesus  Christ,  and  are 
numbered  in  the  Gospel  of  our 
common  hope. 

6  But  if  any  one  shall  preach 
9  the  Jewish  law  unto  you, 
hearken  not  unto  him  ;  for  10it  is 
better  to  receive  the  doctrine  of 
Christ  from  one  that  has  been 
circumcised,  than  Judaism  from 
one  that  has  not. 

xIn.  'Vid.  Vossii  Annot  in  loc.  3Evil.  *  Cleanliness  made  by  sifting 
s  Very  much  poured  out.  «  Vid.  Voss.  in  loc.  Imperfect.  7  Or  preached  of 
the  Gospel ;  and  hoped  in  him,  and  expected  him.  8  Vid.  Voss.  xn  loc. 
"Judaism.     10 Opinion:  council. 

183 


Exhorts  to 


PHILADELPHIA^. 


7  But  if  either  the  one,  or 
other,  do  not  speak  concerning 
Christ  Jesus,  they  seem  to  me  to 
be  but  as  monuments  and  sepul- 
chres of  the  dead,  upon  which 
are  written  only  the  names  of 
men. 

8  Flee  therefore  the  wicked 
arts  and  snares  of  the  prince  of 
this  world  ;  lest  at  any  time  be- 
ing oppressed  by  his  cunning  ye 
grow  1cold  in  your  charity. 
But  come  all  together  into  the 
same  place  with  an  undivided 
heart. 

9  And  I  bless  my  God  that 
I  have  a  good  conscience  to- 
wards you,  and  that  no  one 
among  you  has  whereof  to 
boast  either  openly  or  private- 
ly, that  I  have  been  bur- 
thensome  to  him  in  much  or 
little. 

10  And  I  wish  to  all  among 
whom  I  have  conversed,  that  it 
may  not  turn  to  a  witness  against 
them. 

11  For  although  some  would 
have  deceived  me  according  to 
the  flesh,  yet  the  spirit,  being 
from  God,  is  not  deceived  i.  for 
it  knows  both  whence  it  comes 
and  whither  it  goes,  and  reproves 
the  secrets  of  the  heart. 

12  1  cried  whilst  I  was  among 
you ;  I  spake  with  a  loud  voice  : 
attend  to  the  bishop,  and  to  the 
presbytery,  and  to  the  deacons. 

13  Now  some  supposed  that  I 
spake  this  as  foreseeing  the  divi- 
sion z  that  should  come  among 
you. 

14  But  he  is  my  witness  for 
whose  sake  I  am  in  bonds  that  I 
knew  nothing  from  any  man. 
But  the  spirit  spake,  saying  on 
this  wise  :  Do  nothing  without 
the  bishop : 


15  Keep  your  s  bodies  as  the 
temples  of  God :  Love  unity  ; 
Flee  divisions;  Be  the  followers 
of  Christ,  as  he  was  of  his 
Father. 

16  I  therefore  did  as  became 
me,  as  a  man  composed  to  unity. 
For  where  there  is  division,  and 
wrath,  God  dwelleth  not. 

17  But  the  Lord  forgives  all 
that  repent,  if  they  *  return  to 
the  unity  of  God,  and  to  the 
council  of  the  bishop. 

18  For  I  trust  in  the  grace  of 
Jesus  Christ  6  that  he  will  free 
you  from  every  bond. 

19  Nevertheless  I  exhort  you 
that  you  do  nothing  out  of  strife, 
but  according  to  the  instruction 
of  Christ. 

20  Because  I  have  heard  of 
some  who  say  ;  unless  I  find  it 
written  in  the  6  originals,  I  will 
not  believe  it  to  be  written  in  the 
Gospel.  And  when  I  said,  It  is 
written  ;  they  answered  what  lay 
before  them  in  their  corrupted 
copies. 

21  But  to  me  Jesus  Christ  is 
instead  of  all  the  uncorrupted 
monuments  in  the  world ;  to- 
gether with  those  'undefiled  mon- 
uments, his  cross,  and  death,  and 
resurrection,  and  the  faith  which 
is  by  him ;  by  which  I  desire, 
through  your  prayers,  to  be 
justified. 

22  ^[  The  priests  indeed  are 
good;  but  much  better  is  the 
High  Priest  to  whom  the  Holy 
of  Holies  has  been  committed  ; 
and  who  alone  has  been  en- 
trusted with  the  secrets  of  God. 

23  He  is  the  door  of  the  Fa- 
ther ;  by  which  Abraham,  and 
Isaac,  and  Jacob,  and  all  the 
prophets,  enter  in ;  as  well  as 
the  Apostles,  and  the  church. 


1  Weak.       2  Of  gome.      3  Flesh.       4  Repent.      5  Who  will  loose  from  you. 
6  Archives,  Vid.  Voss.  Annot.  in  loc      7  Untouched. 

184 


On  the  person 


SMYRN.EANS. 


of  Christ, 


24  And  all  these  things  tend 
to  the  unity  which  is  of  God. 
Howbeit  the  Gospel  has  some- 
what in  it  far  above  all  other 
dispensations;  namely,  the  ap- 
pearance of  our  Saviour,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  his  passion 
and  resurrection. 

25  For  the  beloved  prophets 
referred  to  him  ;  but  the  gospel 
is  the  perfection  of  incorruption. 
All  therefore  together  are  good, 
if  ye  believe  with  charity. 

CHAP.  III. 

Informs  them  he  had  heard  that  the  per- 
secution was  stopped  at  Antioch,  and 
directs  them  to  send  a  messenger  hith- 
erto to  congratulate  with  the  church. 
"VTOW  as  concerning  the 
IM  church  of  Antioch  which  is 
in  Syria,  seeing  I  am  told  that 
through  your  prayers  and  the 
bowels  which  ye  have  towards  it 
in  Jesus  Christ,  it  is  in  peace ;  it 
will  become  you,  as  the  church 
of  God,  to  ordain  some  1  deacon 
to  go  to  them  thither  as  the  am- 
bassador of  God;  that  he  may 
rejoice  with  them  when  they 
meet  together,  and  glorify  God's 
name. 

2  Blessed  be  that  man  in  Jesus 
Christ,  who  shall  be  found  worthy 
of  such  a  ministry ;  and  ye  your- 
selves also  shall  be  glorified. 


3  Now  if  you  be  willing,  it  is 
not  impossible  for  you  to  do  this 
for  the  grace  of  God;  as  also 
the  other  neighbouring  churches 
have  sent  them,  some  bishops, 
some  priests  and  deacons. 

4  As  concerning  Philo  the 
deacon  of  Cilicia,  a  most  worthy 
2  man,  he  still  ministers  unto  me 
in  the  word  of  God  :  together 
with  Rheus  s  of  Agathopolis,  a 
singular  good  person,  who  has 
followed  me  even  from  Syria, 
not  regarding  his  life:  These 
also  bear  witness  unto  you. 

5  And  I  myself  give  thanks  to 
God  for  you  that  you  receive  them 
as  the  Lord  shall  receive  you. 
But  for  those  that  dishonoured 
them,  may  they  be  forgiven 
through  the  grace  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

6  The  charity  of  the  brethren 
that  are  at  Troas  salutes  you : 
from  whence  also  I  now  write 
by  Burrhus,  who  was  sent  to- 
gether with  me  by  those  of  Ephe- 
sus  and  Smyrna,  for  respect  sake. 

7  May  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
honour  them ;  in  whom  they  hope, 
both  in  flesh,  and  soul,  and  spirit ; 
in  faith,  in  love,  in  unity.  Fare- 
well in  Christ  Jesus  our  common 
hope. 


The  EPISTLE  of  IGNATIUS  to  the  SMYRN^ANS. 


CHAP.  I. 

1  Declares  his  joy  for  their  firmness 
in  the  Gospel.  4  Enlarges  on  the 
person  of  Christ,  against  such  as  pre- 
tend that  Christ  did,  not  really  suffer. 

IGNATIUS,  who  is  also  called 
Theophorus,  to  the  church  of 
God  the  Father,  and  of  the  be- 
loved Jesus  Christ,  which  God 
hath  mercifully  *  blessed  with 
every  good  gift ;  being  filled  with 


faith  and  charity,  so  that  this  is 
wanting  in  no  gift ;  most  worthy 
of  God,  and  fruitful  in  saints :  the 
church  which  is  at  Smyrna  in 
Asia ;  all  joy,  through  his  im- 
maculate spirit,  and  the  word  of 
God. 

2  I  glorify  God,  even  Jesus 
Christ,  who  has  given  you  such 
wisdom. 

3  For  I  have  observed  that 


1  Messenger  or  Minister.  2  Vid.  Vossius,  a  martyr  or  confessor.  Vid.  An- 
not.  in  loc  3  Vid.  Vossius  Annot.  in  Ep.  ad.  Smyrn.  p.  261.  See  chap.  iii. 
V.  11.     4  Comp.  1  Cor.  vii.  25. 

185 


Exhorts  against 


SMYRN^ANS. 


heretics. 


you  are  settled  in  an  immovable  I  unto  them,  Take,  handle  me,  and 
faith,  as  if  you  were  nailed  to  the  see  that  I  am  not  an  incorporeal 


cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
both  in  the  flesh  and  in  the 
spirit ;  and  are  confirmed  in  love 
through  the  blood  of  Christ ; 
being  fully  persuaded  of  those 
things  which  relate  ^nto  our 
Lord. 

4  Who  truly  was  of  the  race 
of  David  according  to  the  flesh, 


daemon.  And  straightway  they 
felt  and  believed  ;  being  con- 
vinced both  by  his  flesh  and 
spirit. 

11  For  this  cause  they  de- 
spised death,  and  were  found  to 
be  above  7  it. 

12  But  after  his  resurrection 
he  did  eat  and  drink  with  them, 


but  the  Son  of  God  according  to  j  as  he  was  flesh  ;  although  as  to 
the  will  and  power  of  God ; !  his  Spirit  he  was  united  to  the 
truly  born  of  the  Virgin,  and  Father 
baptized  of  John ;  that  so  2  all 
righteousness  might  be  fulfilled 


by  him. 


CHAP.  II. 

1  Exhorts  them  against  heretics, 
danger  of  their  doctrine- 


The 


5  He  was  also  truly  crucified  i  ~VT  OW  these  things,  beloved,  I 
by  Pontius  Pilate,  and  Herod  the  I  _Li  8  put  you  in  mind  of,  not 
Tetrarch,  being  nailed  for  us  in  ,  questioning  but  that  you  your- 
the  flesh ;  by  the  fruits  of  which  i  selves  also  9  believe  that  they 
we  are,  even  by  his  most  blessed   are  so. 

passion.  2  But  I  arm  you  before-hand 

6  That  he  might  set  3  up  a  against  certain  beasts  in  the 
token  for  all  ages  through  his  !  shape  of  men  whom  you  must 
resurrection,  to  all  his  holy  and  not  only  not  receive,  but  if  it  be 
faithful  servants,  whether  they   possible  must  not  meet  with 


be  Jews  or  Gentiles,  in  one  body 
of  his  church. 

7  Now  all  these  things  he  suf- 


3  Only  you  must  pray  for 
them,  that  if  it  be  the  will  of 
God   they   may   repent;   which 


fered  for  us  that  we  might  be  yet  will  be  very  hard.     But  of 


saved.  And  he  suffered  truly, 
as  he  also  truly  raised  up  him- 
self: And  not,  as  some  unbe- 
lievers say,  that  he  only  seemed 
to  suffer,  they  themselves  only 
seeming  to  be/ 

8  And  as  they  believe  so  shall 
it  happen  unto  them ;  when 
being  divested  of  the  body  they 
shall  become  5  mere  spirits. 

9  But  I  know  that  even  after 
his  resurrection  he  was  in  the 
flesh ;  and  I  believed  that  he  is 
still  so. 

10  And  when  he  came  to  those 
who  were  with  Peter,  6he  said 


this  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  has 
the  power,  who  is  our  true  life. 

4  For  if  all  these  things  were 
done  only  in  shew  by  our  Lord, 
then  do  I  also  seem  only  to  be 
bound. 

5  And  why  have  I  given  up 
myself  to  death,  to  the  fire,  to 
the  sword,  to  wild  beasts ! 

6  But  now  the  nearer  I  am  to 
the  sword,  the  nearer  I  am  to 
God :  when  I  shall  come  among 
the  wild  beasts,  I  shall  come  to 
God. 

7  Only  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  I  undergo  all,  to  suffer 


1  Unto  the  Lord.    2  Matt.  iii.  15.    3  Vid.  Voss.  Annot.  m  loc.      i.e.  Chris- 
tians.   5  Incorporeal  and  demoniac.   6  Ex.  Evang.  Sec  Hebr.   See  Dr.  brabe 
Spicileg.  torn.  ii.  p.  26.     7  Death.    8  Admonish.     9  Have  so. 
186 


Danger  q 


SMYRN^ANS. 


On  duty 


together  with  him  ;  he  who  was 
made  a  perfect  man  strengthen- 
ing me. 

8  Whom  some  not  knowing, 
do  deny;  or  rather  have  been 
denied  by  him,  being  the  advo- 
cates of  death,  rather  than  of 
the  truth.  Whom  neither  the 
prophecies,  nor  the  law  of  Moses 
have  persuaded  ;  nor  the  Gospel 
itself  even  to  this  day,  nor  the 
sufferings  of  every  one  of  us. 

9  For  they  think  also  the 
same  things  of  us.  For  what 
does  a  man  profit  me,  if  he  shall 
praise  me,  and  blaspheme  my 
Lord;  not  confessing  that  he 
1  was  truly  made  man  ? 

10  Now  he  that  doth  not  say 
this,  does  in  effect  deny  him,  and 
is  in  death.  But  for  the  names 
of  such  as  do  this,  they  being 
unbelievers,  I  thought  it  not  fit- 
ting to  write  them  unto  you. 

11  Yea,  God  forbid  that  I 
should  make  any  mention  of 
them,  till  they  shall  repent  to  a 
true  belief  of  Christ's  passion, 
which  is  our  resurrection. 

12  Lat  no  man  deceive  him- 
self; both  the  things  which  are 
in  heaven  and  the  glorious  an- 
gels, and  princes,  whether  visible 
or  invisible,  if  they  believe  not 
in  the  blood  of  Christ,  2  it  shall 
be  to  them  to  condemnation. 

13  3  He  that  is  able  to  receive 
this,  let  him  receive  it.  Let  no 
man's  *  place  or  state  in  the 
world  puff  him  up  :  that  which  is 
worth  all  his  faith  and  charity,  to 
which  nothing  is  to  be  preferred. 

14  But  consider  those  who  are 
of  a  different  opinion  from  us,  as 
to  what  concerns  the  grace  of 
Jesus  Christ  which  is  come  unto 
us,  how  contrary  they  are  to  the 
design  of  God. 


15  They  have  no  regard  to 
charity,  no  care  of  the  widow, 
the  fatherless,  and  the  oppressed ; 
of  the  bond  or  free,  of  the  hun- 
gry or  thirsty. 

16  They  abstain  from  the  eu- 
charist,  and  from  5the  public 
offices  ;  because  they  confess  not 
the  eucharist  to  be  the  flesh  of 
our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ;  which 
suffered  for  our  sins,  and  which 
the  Father  of  his  goodness,  raised 
again  from  the  dead. 

17  And  for  this  cause  contra- 
dicting the  gift  of  God,  they  die 
in  their  disputes :  6  but  much 
better  would  it  be  for  them  to 
'receive  it,  that  they  might  one 
day  rise  through  it. 

18  It  will  therefore  become 
you  to  abstain  from  such  persons ; 
and  not  to  speak  with  them  nei- 
ther in  private  nor  in  public. 

19  But  to  hearken  to  the  pro- 
phets, and  especially  to  the  Gos- 
pel, in  which  both  Christ's  pas- 
sion is  manifested  unto  us,  and  his 
resurrection  perfectly  declared. 

20  But  flee  all  divisions,  as 
the  beginning  of  evils. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  Exhorts  them  to  follow  their  bishop 
and  pastors ;  but  especially  their 
bishop.  6  Thanks  them  for  their 
kindness,  1 1  and  acquaints  them  with 
the  ceasing  of  the  persecution  at  An- 
tioch. 

SEE  that  ye  all  follow  your 
bishop,  as  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Father ;  and  the  presbytery,  as 
the  Apostles.  And  reverence  the 
deacons,  as  the  command  of  God. 

2  Let  no  man  do  anything  of 
what  belongs  to  the  church  sepa- 
rately from  the  bishop. 

3  Let  that  eucharist  be  looked 
upon  as  well  established,  which 
is  either  offered  by  the  bishop, 


1  Had  true  flesh.     2  It  is.    3  Matt.  xix.  12.     *  Vkl.  Epist.  Interpol.     5  \  id. 
Annot.  Coteler.  in  loc.  Or,  Prayers.  «   Vid.  Coteler.  Annot.     7  Love. 

187 


to  the  bishop 


SMYRN^ANS. 


and  pastors. 


or  by  him  to  whom  the  bishop 
has  given  his  consent. 

4  Wheresoever  the  bishop 
shall  appear,  there  let  the  x  peo- 
ple also  be :  as  where  Jesus  Christ 
is,  there  is  the  Catholic  church. 

5  It  is  not  lawful  without  the 
bishop,  neither  to  baptize,  nor 
2  to  celebrate  the  Holy  Commu- 
nion ;  but  whatsoever  he  shall 
approve  of,  that  is  also  pleasing 
unto  God;  that  so  whatever  is 
done,  may  be  sure  and  well  done. 

6  For  what  remains,  it  is  very 
reasonable  that  we  should  3  re- 
pent whilst  there  is  yet  time  to 
return  unto  God. 

7  It  is  a  good  thing  to  have  a 
due  regard  both  to  God,  and  to 
the  bishop :  he  that  honours  the 
bishop,  shall  be  honoured  of  God. 
But  he  that  does  anything  with- 
out his  knowledge,  4  ministers 
unto  the  devil. 

8  Let  all  things  therefore 
abound  to  you  in  charity ;  seeing 
that  ye  are  worthy. 

9  Ye  have  refreshed  me  in  all 
things ;  so  shall  Jesus  Christ  you. 
Ye  have  loved  me  both  when  I 
was  present  with  you,  and  now 
being  absent,  ye  cease  not  to  do 
so. 

10  May  God  be  your  reward, 
from  whom  whilst  ye  undergo 
all  things,  ye  shall  attain  unto 
him. 

11  Ye  have  done  well  in  that 
ye  have  received  Philo,  and 
Rheus 5  Agathopus,  who  followed 
me 6  for  the  word  of  God,  as  the 
deacons  of  Christ  our  God. 

12  Who  also  gave  thanks  unto 
the  Lord  for  you,  forasmuch  as 
ye  have  refreshed  them  in  all 
'things.  8Nor  shall  any  thing 
that  you  have  done  be  lost  to  you. 

1  Multitude.      2  Make  a  love-feast.        s  Keturn  to  a  sound  mind.       4  Does 
worship.    5Vid.  Voss.  Annot.  in  loc.  6Unto.    7Ways.  8Vid.  Epist.  Interpol. 
9  Spirit.     10  All  the.     n  i.  e.  the  bishop  of  that  church.      12  Vid.  Voss.  Annot. 
in  loc.     I3  Bulk,  greatness.     u  Help  you. 
188 


13  My 9  soul  be  for  yours,  and 
my  bonds  which  ye  have  not  de- 
spised, nor  been  ashamed  of. 
Wherefore  neither  shall  Jesus 
Christ,  our  perfect  faith,  be 
ashamed  of  you. 

14  Your  prayer  is  come  to  the 
church  of  Antioch  which  is  in 
Syria.  From  whence  being  sent 
bound  with  chains  becoming  God, 
I  salute  the  10churches;  being  not 
worthy  to  be  called11  from  thence, 
as  being  the  least  among  them. 

15  Nevertheless  by  the  will  of 
God  I  have  been  thought  worthy 
of  this  honour  ;  not  for  that  I 
think  I  have  deserved  it,  but  by 
the  grace  of  God. 

16  Which  I  wish  may  be  per- 
fectly given  unto  me,  that 
through  your  prayers  I  may 
attain  unto  God. 

17  And  therefore  that  your 
work  may  be  fully  accomplished 
both  upon  earth  and  in  heaven  ; 
it  will  be  fitting,  and  for  the  ho- 
nour of  God, 12  that  your  church 
appoint  some  worthy  delegate, 
who  being  come  as  far  as  Syria, 
may  rejoice  together  with  them 
that  they  are  in  peace;  and  that 
they  are  again  restored  to  their 
former  13  state,  and  have  again  re- 
ceived their  proper  body. 

18  Wherefore  I  should  think 
it  a  worthy  action,  to  send  some 
one  from  you  with  an  epistle,  to 
congratulate  with  them  their 
peace  in  God  ;  and  that  through 
your  prayers  they  have  now  got- 
ten to  their  harbor. 

19  For  inasmuch  as  ye  are 
perfect  yourselves,  you  ought  to 
think  those  things  that  are  per- 
fect. For  when  you  are  desirous 
to  do  well,  God  is  ready  to  "  en- 
able you  thereunto. 


Ignatius  exhorts 


POLYCARP. 


20  The  love  of  the  brethren 
that  are  at  Troas  salute  you; 
from  whence  I  write  to  you  by 
Burrhus  whom  you  sent  with  me, 
together  with  the  Ephesians  your 
brethren  ;  and  who  has  in  all 
things  refreshed  me. 

21  And  I  would  to  God  that 
all  would  imitate  him,  as  being 
a  pattern  of  the  ministry  of  God. 
May  his  grace  fully  reward  him. 

22  I  salute  your  very  worthy 
bishop,  and  your  venerable  pres- 
bytery ;  and  your  deacons,  my 
fellow-servants ;  and  all  of  you  in 
general,  and  every  one  in  partic- 
ular, in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  in  his  flesh  and  blood ;  in 
his  passion  and  resurrection  both 
fleshly  and  spiritually ;  and  in 
1  the  unity  of  God  with  you. 


23  Grace  be  with  you,  and 
mercy,  and  peace,  and  patience, 
for  evermore. 

24  I  salute  the  families  of  my 
brethren,  with  their  wives  and 
children  ;  and  the a  virgins  that 
are  called  widows.  Be  strong  in 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Philo,  who  is  present  with  me 
salutes  you. 

25  I  salute  the  house  of  Tavias, 
and  pray  that  it  may  be  strength- 
ened in  faith  and  charity,  both  of 
flesh  and  spirit. 

26  I  salute  Alee  my  well-be- 
loved, 3  together  with  the  incom- 
parable Daphnus,  and  Eutech- 
nus,  and  all  by  name. 

27  Farewell  in  the  grace  of 
God. 

Tf   To  the  Smyrnccans  from  Troas. 


The  EPISTLE  of  IGNATIUS  to  POLYCARP. 


CHAP.  I. 

Blesses  God  for  the  firm  establishment  of 
Polycarp  in  the  faith,  and  gives  him 
particular  directions  for  improving  it. 

IGNATIUS,  who  is  also  called 
1  Theophorus,  to  Polycarp,  bi- 
shop of  the  church 4  which  is  at 
Smyrna  ;  their  overseer,  but 
rather  himself  overlooked  by 
God  the  Father,  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ :  all  happiness. 

2  Having  known  that  thy 
mind  towards  God,  is  fixed  as  it 
were  upon  an  immovable  rock  ; 
I  exceedingly  give  thanks,  that 
I  have  been  thought  worthy  to 
behold  thy5 blessed  face,  in  which 
may  I  always  rejoice  in  God. 

3  Wherefore  I  beseech  thee  by 
the  grace  of  God  with  which  thou 
art  clothed,  to  press  forward  in 
thy  course,  and  to  exhort  all 
others  that  they  may  be  saved. 

1  Vid.  Vos9.  Annot.  in  loc.  2  i.  e.  The  deaconessses.  See  the  reason  for 
the  name,  Voss.  Annot.  in  loc.  Add.  Coteler.  ib.  3See  Voss.  Annot.  ex  I'.pist. 
Interpol.  4  of  the  Smvrnoeans.  6  Innocent.  6  Vid.  1  Cor.  vii.  34.  7Be  at 
leisure  to,  etc.  8  Vid.  Voss.  in  loc.  aliter  Vet.  Lat.  Interpr.  9The  diseases. 
10  Is  much. 

189 


4  Maintain  thy  place  with  all 
care 6  both  of  flesh  and  spirit : 
Make  it  thy  endeavour  to  pre- 
serve unity,  than  which  nothing 
is  better.  Bear  with  all  men, 
even  as  the  Lord  with  thee. 

5  Support  all  in  love,  as  also 
thou  dost.  7  Pray  without  ceas- 
ing :  ask  more  understanding 
than  what  thou  already  hast. 
Be  watchful,  having  thy  spirit 
always  awake. 

6  Speak  to  every  one  8  accord- 
ing as  God  shall  enable  thee. 
Bear  the  9  infirmities  of  all,  as  a 
perfect  combatant ;  where  the 
labuur  is  great,  the  gain  luis  the 
more. 

7  If  thou  shalt  love  the  good 
disciples,  what  thank  is  it?  But 
rather  do  thou  subject  to  thee 
those  that  are  mischievous,  in 
meekness. 


to  improve 


POLYCARP. 


his  faith. 


8  Every  wound  is  not  healed 
with  the  same  plaster  :  if  the 
accessions  of  the  disease  be  vehe- 
ment, modify  them  with  *  soft 
remedies :  be  in  all  things  2  wise 
as  a  serpent,  but  harmless  as  a 
dove. 

9  For  this  cause  thou  art  com- 
posed of  flesh  and  spirit ;  that 
thou  mayest  modify  those  things 
that  appear  before  thy  face. 

10  And  as  for  those  that  are 
not  seen,  pray  to  God  that  he 
would  reveal  them  unto  thee,  that 
so  thou  mayest  be  wanting  in 
nothing,  but  mayest  abound  in 
every  gift. 

11  The  times  demand  thee,  as 
the  pilots  the  winds ;  and  he  that 
is  tossed  in  a  tempest,  the  haven 
where  he  would  be ;  that  thou 
mayst  attain  unto  God. 

12  Be  sober  as  the  combatant 
of  God  :  the  3  crown  proposed  to 
thee  is  immortality,  and  eternal 
life  ;  concerning  which  thou  art 
also  fully  persuaded.  I  will  be 
thy  surety  in  all  things,  and  my 
bonds,  which  thou  hast  loved. 

13  Let  not  those  that  seem 
worthy  of  credit,  but  teach  other 
doctrines,  *  disturb  thee.  Stand 
firm  and  immovable,  as  an  anvil 
when  it  is  beaten  upon.j, 

14  It  is  the  part  of  a  brave 
combatant  to  be  5  wounded,  and 
yet  overcome.  But  especially 
we  ought  to  endure  all  things 
for  God  s  sake,  that  he  may  bear 
with  us. 

15  Be  every  day  6  better  than 
other :  consider  the  times ;  and 
expect  him,  who  is  above  all 
time,  eternal,  invisible,  though 
for  our  sakes  made  visible  :  im- 
palpable, and  impassable,  yet  for 


us  subjected  to  sufferings  ;  en- 
during all  manner  of  ways  foi 
our  salvation. 

CHAP.  II. 

1  Continues  his  advice,  6  and  teaches 
him  how  to  advise  others.  12  En- 
forces unity  and  subjection  to  the 
bishop. 

LET  not  the  widows  be  neg- 
lected :  be  thou  after  God, 
their  guardian. 

2  Let  nothing  be  done  without 
thy  knowledge  and  consent;  nei- 
ther do  thou  anything  but  ac- 
cording to  the  will  of  God  ;  as 
also  thou  dost,  7  with  all  con- 
stancy. 

3  Let  your  assemblies  be  more 
full :  inquire  into  all  by  name. 

4  Overlook  not  the  men  and 
maid  servants  ;  neither  let  them 
be  puffed  up :  but  rather  let 
them  be  the  more  subject  to  the 
glory  of  God,  that  they  may  ob- 
tain from  him  a  better  liberty. 

5  Let  them  not  desire  to  8  be 
set  free  at  the  public  cost,  that 
they  be  not  slaves  to  their  own 
lusts. 

6  Flee  evil  9  arts ;  or  rather, 
make  not  any  mention  of  them. 

7  Say  to  my  sisters,  that  they 
love  the  Lord  ;  and  be  satisfied 
with  their  own  husbands,  both 
in  the  flesh  and  spirit. 

8  In  like  manner,  exhort  my 
brethren,  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  that  they  love  their  wives, 
even  as  the  Lord  the  Church. 

9  If  any  man  can  remain  in 
a  virgin  state,  10to  the  honour  of 
the  flesh  of  Christ,  let  him  re- 
main without  boasting ;  but  if 
he  boast,  he  is  undone.  And  if 
he  desire  to  be  more  taken  notice 


1  Supervisions.     2Matt.  x.  16.     s  Vid.  Voss.  Annot.  in  loc   Collat.  cnm  Co- 
teler.  ib.     4  Amaze  thee.      5  Beaten.     6  More  studious,  diligent,      'being  well 
settled.     8  Vid.  Annot.  Coteler.  in  loc.     '  Or,  trades.      10  Vid.  Annot.  Vossii 
et  Coteler.  in  loc. 
190 


Desires  to  greet 


POLYCARP. 


the  churches. 


of  than  the   bishop  he  is  cor- 
rupted. 

10  But  it  becomes  all  such  as 
are  married,  whether  men  or  wo- 
men to  come  together  with  the 
consent  of  the  bishop,  that  so 
their  marriage  may  be  according 
to  godliness,  and  not  in  lust. 

11  Let  all  things  be  done  to 
the  honour  of  God. 

12  hearken  unto  the  bishop, 
that  God  also  may  hearken  unto 
you.  My  soul  be  security  for 
them  that  submit  to  their  bishop, 
with  their  presbyters  and  dea- 
cons. And  may  my  portion  be 
together  with  theirs  in  God. 

13  Labour  with  one  another  ; 
contend  together,  run  together, 
suffer  together  ;  sleep  together, 
and  rise  together ;  as  the  stew- 
ards, and  assessors,  and  ministers 
of  God. 

14  Please  him  under  whom  ye 
war,  and  from  whom  ye  receive 
your  wages.  Let  none  of  you  be 
found  a  deserter ;  but  let  your 
baptism  remain,  as  your  arms ; 
your  faith,  as  your  helmet ;  your 
charity,  as  your  spear ;  your  pa- 
tience, as  your  whole  armour. 

15  Let  your  works  be  your 
2  charge,  that  so  you  may  re- 
ceive a  suitable  reward.  Be  long- 
suffering  therefore  towards  each 
other  in  meekness :  as  God  is  to- 
wards you. 

16  Let  me  have  joy  of  you  in 
all  things. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  Greets  Polycarp  on  the  peace  of  the 

church  at  Antioch :  2  and  desires  him 

to  write  to  that  and  other  churches. 

"VTOW  forasmuch  as  the  church 

_LN   of  Antioch  in  Syria,  is,  3  as 


I  am  told,  in  peace  through  your 
prayers  ;  I  also  have  been  the 
more  comforted  4and  without 
care  in  God  ;  if  so  be  that  by  suf- 
fering, I  shall  attain  unto  God  ; 
that  through  your  prayers  I  may 
be  found  a  disciple  of  Christ. 

2  It  will  be  very  fit,  O  most 
worthy  Polycarp,  to  call  a  "select 
council,  and  choose  some  one 
whom  ye  particularly  love,  and 
who  is  patient  of  labour;  that 
he  may  be  the  messenger  of  God  ; 
and  that  going  unto  Syria,  he 
may  glorify  your  incessant  love, 
to  the  praise  of  Christ. 

3  A  Christian  has  not  the 
power  of  himself:  but  must  be 
always  at  leisure  for  God's  ser- 
vice. Now  this  work  is  both 
God's  and  your's  :  when  ye  shall 
have  perfected  it. 

4  For  I  trust  through  the 
grace  of  God  that  ye  are  ready 
to  every  good  work  that  is  fitting 
for  you  in  the  Lord. 

5  Knowing  therefore  your 
earnest  affection  for  the  truth,  I 
have  exhorted  you  by  6  these 
short  letters. 

6  But  forasmuch  as  I  have 
not  been  able  to  write  to  all  the 
churches,  because  I  must  sud- 
denly sail  from  Troas  to  Nea- 
polis ;  (for  so  is  the  command  of 
those  to  whose  pleasure  I  am 
subject ;)  do  you  write  to  the 
churches  that  are  near  you,  as 
being  instructed  in  the  will  of 
God,  that  they  also  may  do  in 
like  manner. 

7  Let  those  that  are  able  send 
7  messengers ;  and  let  the  re«t 
send  their  letters  by  those  who 
shall  be  sent  by  you :  that  you 


1  Observe,  from  the  foregoing  verses,  that  Ignatius  here  speaks  not  to  Poly- 
carp, but  through  him  to  the  Church  of  Smyrna.  2That  which  is  committ-  d 
to  vour  custody,  to  keep  secure.  3  Ft.  has  been  manifested  unto  me.  4In  t lie 
security  of  God.  »  Most  becoming  God.  6  Viz.  To  the  Smyrnteans,  and  this 
to  himself.     See  Pearson  in  loo      7  Footmen. 

191 


Commends  them 


PHILIPPIANS. 


for  their  faith. 


may  be  glorified  x  to  all  eternity, 
of  which  you  are  worthy. 

8  I  salute  all  by  name,  partic- 
ularly-the  wife  of  Epitropus, 
with  all  her  house  and  children. 
I  salute  Attalus  my  well-beloved. 

9  I  salute  him  who  shall  be 
thought  worthy  to  be  sent  by 
you  into  Syria.     Let  grace  be 


ever  with  him,  *  and  with  Poly- 
carp  who  sends  him. 

10  I  wish  you  all  happiness 
in  our  God,  Jesus  Christ ;  in' 
whom  continue,  in  the  unityand 
protection  of  God. 

11  I  salute  Alee  my  well-be* 
loved.     Farewell  in  the  Lord. 

*|[  To  Polycarp. 


The  EPISTLE  of  POLYCARP  to  the  PHILIPPIANS. 

[The  genuineness  of  this  Epistle  is  controveited,  but  implicitly  believed  by 
Archbishop  Wake,  whose  translation  is  below.  There  is  also  a  trans- 
lation by  Dr.  Cave,  attached  to  his  life  of  Polycarp.] 


rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and 
full  of  glory. 

5  Into  which  many  desire  to 
enter  ;  7  knowing  that  by  grace 
ye  are  saved ;  not  by  works,  but 
by  the  will  of  God  through 
Jesus  Christ. 

6  8  Wherefore  girding  up  the 
loins  of  your  minds ;  9  serve  the 
Lord  with  fear,  and  in  truth : 
laying  aside  all  empty  and  vain 
speech,  and  the  error  of  many  ; 
10believing  in  him  that  raised  up 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  from  the 
dead,  and  hath  given  him  glory 
and  a  throne  at  his  right  hand. 

7  To  whom  all  things  are 
made  subject,  u  both  that  are  in 
heaven,  and  that  are  in  earth  ; 
whom  every  ia  living  creature 
shall  worship  ;  who  shall  come 
to  be  the  judge  of  the  quick  and 
dead  :  whose  blood  God  shall  re- 
quire of  them  that  believe  in 
him.  ^ 

8  But  he  that  raised  up 
13  Christ  from  the  dead,  shall 
also  raise  up  us  in  like  manner, 
if  we  do  his  will  and  walk  u  ac- 
cording to  his  commandments; 
and  love  those  things  jtfhich  he 
loved : 

9  Abstaining   from   all  15  un- 

1  Vid.  Voss.  in  loc  in  the  Eternal  work.  2  Ex.  Vet.  Interp.  Vid.  Voss.  Annot. 
3  Sojourneth.       4  Firm  root  remains  in  vou.       5  Acts  xi.  24.      6  1  Pet.  i.  8. 
'  Eph.  ii.  8.      8 1  Pet.  i.  13.      9  Psalm  ii.  11.      101  Pet.  i.  21.    u  Phil.  ii.  10. 
12  Breath.     13Him.     uIn.     15  Injustice. 
192 


CHAP.  I. 

Commends  the  Philippians  for  their  re- 
spect to  those  who  suffered  for  the  Gos- 
pel; and  for  their  own  faith. 

POLYCARP,  and  the  presby- 
ters that  are  with  him,  to 
the  church  of  God  which  3is  at 
Philippi:  mercy  unto  you  and 
peace  from  God  Almighty ;  and 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  our  Sa- 
viour, be  multiplied. 

2  I  rejoiced  greatly  with  you 
in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
ye  received  the  images  of  a  true 
love,  and  accompanied,  as  it  is 
behooved  you,  those  who  were  in 
bonds,  becoming  saints ;  which 
are  the  crowns  of  such  as  are 
truly  chosen  by  God  and  our 
Lord : 

3  As  also  that  the  *root  of 
the  faith  which  was  preached 
from  ancient  times,  remains  firm 
in  you  to  this  day ;  and  brings 
forth  fruit  to  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  suffered  himself  to 
be  brought  even  to  the  death 
for  our  sins. 

4  5  Whom  God  hath  raised 
up,  having  loosed  the  pains  of 
death,  6  whom  having  not  seen, 
ye  love;  in  whom  though  now 
ye  see  him  not,  yet  believing  ye 


Exhorts  to 


PHILIPPIANS. 


social  and  other 


righteousness  ;  1  inordinate  af- 
fection, and  love  of  money ; 
from  evil  speaking;  false  wit- 
ness ;  not  rendering  evil  for  evil, 
or  railing  for  railing,  or  striking 
for  striking,  or  cursing  for  curs- 
ing. 

10  But  remembering  what 
the  Lord  has  2  taught  us  saying, 
Judge  not,  and  ye  shall  not  be 
judged;  forgive  and  ye  shall  be 
forgiven  ;  be  ye  merciful,  and 
ye  shall  obtain  mercy;  for  with 
the  same  measure  that  ye  mete 
withal,  it  shall  be  measured  to 
you  again. 

11  And  again,  that  3  blessed 
are  the  poor,  and  they  that  are 
persecuted  for  righteousness' 
sake ;  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom 
of  God. 

CHAP.  II. 

2  Exhorts  to  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity. 
5  Against  covetousness,  and  as  to  the 
duties  of  husbands,  wives,  widows,  6 
deacons,  young  men,  virgins,  and 
presbyters. 

THESE  things,  my  brethren, 
I  took  not  the  liberty  of 
myself  to  write  unto  you  con- 
cerning righteousness,  but  you 
yourselves  before  encouraged  me 
to  it. 

2  For  neither  can  I,  nor  any 
other  such  as  I  am,  come  up  to 
the  wisdom  of  the  blessed  and 
renowned  Paul :  who  being  him- 
self in  person  with  those  who 
then  lived,  did  with  all  ex- 
actness and  soundness  teach 
the  word  4  of  truth ;  and  being 
gone  from  you  wrote  an  5  epistle 
to  you. 

3  Into  which  if  you  look,  you 
will  be  able  to  edify  yourselves 
in  the  faith  that  has  been  deliv- 


ered unto  you ;  which  is  the 
mother  of  us  all ;  being  followed 
with  hope,  and  led  on  by  a  gen- 
eral love,  both  towards  God  and 
towards  Christ,  and  towards  our 
neighbour. 

4  For  if  any  man  6has  these 
things  he  has  fulfilled  the  law  of 
righteousness  :  for  he  that  has 
charity  is  far  from  all  sin. 

5  But  the  love  of  money  is 
the  7  root  of  all  evil.  Knowing 
therefore  that  as  we  brought 
nothing  into  this  world,  so  nei- 
ther may  we  carry  any  thing 
out;  let  us  8arm  ourselves  with 
the  armour  of  righteousness. 

6  And  teach  ourselves  first  to 
walk  according  to  the  command- 
ments of  the  Lord  ;  and  then 
your  wives  to  walk  likewise  9  ac- 
cording to  the  faith  that  is  given 
to  them  ;  in  10  charity,  and  in 
purity  ;  loving  their  own  hus- 
bands with  all  "sincerity,  and  all 
others  alike  with  all  temper- 
ance ;  and  to  bring  up  their 
children  in  the  instruction  12  and 
fear  of  the  Lord. 

7  The  widows  likewise  teach 
that  they  be  sober  as  to  what 
concerns  the  faith  of  the  Lord  : 
praying  always  for  all  men ; 
being  far  from  all  detraction, 
evil  speaking,  false  witness;  from 
covetousness,  and  from  all  evil. 

8  Knowing  that  they  arc  the 
altars  of  God, 13  who  sees  all  ble- 
mishes, and  from  whom  nothing 
is  hid  ;  who  searches  out  the 
very  reasonings,  and  thoughts, 
and  secrets  of  our  hearts. 

9  If  Knowing  therefore  that 
God  is  not  mocked,  we  ought  to 
walk  worthy  both  of  his  com- 
mand and  of  his  glory. 


1  Eph.  iv.  19.  Coloss.  iii.  5.  1  Pet.  iii.  9.  2Said  to  us,  teaching,  Luke  vi. 
37.  Matt.  vii.  1.  3  Matt.  v.  3, 10.  Luke  vi.  20.  *irepi  aXcdeiac,  concerning 
Truth.  5  Epistles.  Vid.  Annot  Coteler.  in  loc  6  Be  within.  7  Beginning 
of  all  troubles,  or  difficulties,  xa^ETruv,  1  Tim.  vi.  7.  8Be  armed.  9  In.  luLove- 
n  Truth.     12  Of  the.    13  And  that  he. 

13  193 


Christian  duties. 


PHILIPPIANS. 


On  faith. 


'( 


always  "  providing  what  is  good 
both  in  the  sight  of  God  and  man. 

16  Abstaining  from  all  wrath, 
respect  of  persons,  and  unright- 
eous judgment  :  and  especially- 
being  free  from  all  covetousness. 

17  Not  9  easy  to  believe  any 
thing  against  any ;  not  severe  in 
judgment ;  knowing  that  we  are 
all  debtors  in  point  of  sin. 

18  If  therefore  we  pray  to  the 
Lord  that  he  would  forgive  us, 
we  ought  also  to  forgive  others  ; 
for  we  are  all  in  the  sight  of  our 
Lord  and  God  ;  10  and  must  all 
stand  before  the  judgment  seat 
of  Christ ;  and  shall  every  one 
give  an  account  "  of  himself. 

19  Let  us  therefore  serve  him 
in  fear,  and  with  all  reverence  as 
both  himself  hath  commanded  ; 
and  as  the  Apostles  who  have 
preached  the  Gospel  unto  us,  and 
the  prophets  who  have  foretold 
the  coming  of  our  Lord  have 
taught  us. 

20  Being  zealous  of  what  is 
good ;  abstaining  from  all  of- 
fence, and  from  false  brethren  ; 
and  from  those  who  bear  the 
name  of  Christ  in  hypocrisy ; 
who  deceive  vain  men. 

CHAP.  III. 

1  As  to  faith  in  our  Saviour  Christ :  his 
nature  and  sufferings,  the  resurrection 
and  judgment.  3  Exhorts  to  prayer 
5  and  steadfastness  in  the  faith,  from 
the  examples  of  Christ,  7  and  Apostles 
and  saints,  and  exhorts  to  carefulness 
in  all  well-doing. 

FOR  12  whosoever  does  not 
confess  that  Jesus  Christ  is 
come  in  the  flesh,  he  is  Anti- 
christ: and  whoever  does  not 
confess  13  his  suffering  upon  the 
cross,  is  from  the  devil. 

2  And  whosoever  perverts  the 
oracles  of  the  Lord  to  his  own  lusts; 

1  His  righteousness.  2  Continent.  3  Pet  ii.  11.  4Cor.  vi.  9,  10.  5  Elders. 
6  Presbyters.  7  Ezek.  xxxiv.  4.  8  Rom.  xii.  17.  9  Swiftly  believing.  10Matt. 
xii.14;  Rom.  xiv.  10 ;  2  Cor.  v.  10.  "For.  12  Uohn  iv.  3.  13The  mar- 
tyrdom of  tbe  cross. 

194 


10  Also  the  deacons  must  be 
blameless  before  !  him,  as  the 
ministers  of  God  in  Christ,  and 
not  of  men.  Not  false  accusers  ; 
not  double  tongued  ;  not  lovers 
of  money  ;  but  2  moderate  in  all 
things ;  compassionate,  careful  ; 
walking  according  to  the  truth 
of  the  Lord,  who  was  the  ser- 
vant of  all. 

11  Whom  if  we  please  in  this 
present  world  we  shall  also  be 
made  partakers  of  that  which  is 
to  come,  according  as  he  has  pro- 
mised to  us,  that  he  will  raise  us 
from  the  dead  ;  and  that  if  we 
shall  walk  worthy  of  him,  we 
shall  also  reign  together  with 
him,  if  we  believe. 

12  In  like  manner  the  young- 
er men  must  be  unblameable  in 
all  things ;  above  all,  taking 
care  of  their  purity,  and  to 
restrain  themselves  from  all 
evil.  For  it  is  good  to  be  cut 
off  from  the  lusts  that  are 
in  the  world  ;  because  every 
such  '  lust  warreth  against  the 
spirit :  4  and  neither  fornicators, 
nor  effeminate,  nor  abusers  of 
themselves  with  mankind,  shall 
inherit  the  kingdom  of  God ; 
nor  they  who  do  such  things  as 
are  foolish  and  unreasonable. 

13  Wherefore  ye  must  needs 
abstain  from  all  these  things,  be- 
ing subject  to  the  5  priests  and 
deacons,  as  unto  God  and  Christ. 

14  The  virgins  admonish  to 
walk  in  a  spotless  and  pure  con- 
science. 

15  And  let  the  6  elders  be  com- 
passionate and  merciful  towards 
all ;  7  turning  them  from  their 
errors ;  seeking  out  those  that  are 
weak  ;  not  forgetting  the  widows, 
the  fatherless,  and  the  poor ;  but 


On  well  doing. 


PHILIPPIANS. 


Exhorts  against 


and  says  that  there  shall  neither 
be  any  resurrection,  nor  judg- 
ment, he  is  the  first-born  of  Satan. 
3  Wherefore  leaving  the  vani- 
ty of  many,  and  their  false  doc- 


sent  world;  but  him  who  died, and 
was  raised  again  by  God  for  us. 
10   Stand   therefore   in   these 
things,  and  follow  the  example  of 
the  Lord;  being  firm  and  immuta- 


tnnes  ;  let  us  return  to  the  word  j  ble  in  the  faith,  lovers  of  the  bro- 
that  was  delivered  to  us  from   therhood,  lovers  of  one  another: 


the  beginning;  1  Watching  unto 
prayer;  and  persevering  in  fast- 
ing. 

4  With  supplication  beseeching 
the  all  seeing  God  2  not  to  lead 
us  into  temptation  ;  as  the  Lord 
hath  said,  3  The  spirit  is  truly 
willing,  but  the  flesh  is  weak. 

5  Let  us  therefore  without 
ceasing  hold  steadfastly  to  him 
who  is  our  hope,  and  the  earnest 
of  our  righteousness,  even  Jesus 
Christ ;  4  Who  his  own  self  bare 
our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the 
tree :  who  did  no  sin,  neither 
was  guile  found  in  his  mouth. 
But  suffered  all  for  us  that  we 
might  live  5  through  him. 

6  Let  us  therefore  imitate  his 
patience ;  and  if  we  suffer  for  his 
name,  let  us  glorify  him  ;  for  this 
example  he  has  given  us  by  him- 
self, and  so  have  we  believed. 

7  Wherefore  I  exhort  all  of 
you  that  ye  obey  the  word  of 
righteousness,  and  exercise  all  pa- 
tience; which  ye  have  seen  set  forth 
before  our  eyes,  not  only  in  the 
blessed  Ignatius,  and  Zozimus, 
and  Rufus;  but  in  others  among 
yourselves  ;  and  in  Paul  himself, 
and  the  rest  of  the  Apostles : 

8  Being  6  confident  of  this, 
that  all  these  have  not  run  in 
vain ;  but  in  faith  and  righteous- 
ness, and  are gone to  the  place  that 
was  due  to  them  from  the  Lord  ; 
with  whom  they  also  suffered. 

9  For  they  loved  not  this  pre- 


companions  together  in  thr  trull  i, 
being  kind  and  gentle  towards 
each  other,  despising  none. 

11  When  it  is  in  your  power 
to  do  good,  defer  it  not,  foi  char- 
ity delivered  from  death. 

12  Be  all  of  you  subject  one 
to  another,  9  having  your  con- 
versation 10  honest  among  the 
Gentiles ;  that  by  your  good 
works,  both  ye  yourselves  may 
receive  praise,  and  the  Lord  may 
not n  be  blasphemed  through  you. 
But  wo  be  to  him  by  whom  the 
name  of  the  Lord  is  blasphemed. 

13  Therefore  teach  all  men 
sobriety ;  in  which  do  ye  also 
exercise  yourselves. 

CHAP.  IV. 

Valens,  a  presbyter,  having  fallen  inio 
the  sin  of  covetousness,  he  exhorts  them 
against  it. 

I  AM  greatly  afflicted  for  Va- 
lens, who  was  once  a  presby- 
ter among  you  ;  that  he  should 
so  little  understand  the  place 
that  was  given  to  him  in  the 
church.  Wherefore  I  admonish 
you  that  ye  abstain  from  u  cove- 
tousness ;  and  that  ye  be  chaste, 
and  true  of  speech. 

2 13Keep  yourselves  from  all  evil. 
For  he  that  in  these  things  cannot 
govern  himself  how  shall  he  be 
able  to  prescribe  them  to  another? 

3  If  a  man  does  not  keep  him- 
self from  14  covetousness,  he  .-hall 
be  polluted  with  idolatry  and  be 
judged  as  if  he  were  a  Gentile. 


1 1  Pet.  vi.  7.  2Matt.  vi.  13.  3  Matt.  xxvi.  41.  *  1  Pet.  ii.  22,  24.  6  In  1 
Pet.  iii.  14,  &c  6  Persuaded.  7  Associated  in  truth.  8  Yielding  to  each  other 
in  the  mildness  of  the  Lord.  Tobit,  xii.  9.  9 1  Pet.  ii.  12.  10  Unreprovable. 
11  Rom.  ii.  24.  Titus,  ii.  5.  12  Concupiscence ;  or,  immoderate  and  filthy  lusts. 
So  Dr.  Hammond  on  Rom.  i.  29.  13 1  Thes.  v.  22.  Eph.  v.  5  ;  Coloss.  11.  6. 
14  As  before,  Dr.  Hammond  on  1    Cor.  v.  10. 

195 


the  sin  of 


PHILIPPIANS. 


covetousness. 


4  But  who  of  you  are  ignorant 
of  the  j  udgment  of  God  ?  *  Do  we 
not  know  that  the  saints  shall 
judge  the  world,  as  Paul  teaches  ? 

5  But  I  have  neither  per- 
ceived nor  heard  any  thing  of 
this  kind  in  you,  among  whom 
the  blessed  2  Paul  laboured  ; 
and  who  are  named  in  the  be- 
ginning of  his  Epistle. 

6  For  he  glories  of  you  in  all 
the  churches  who  then  only  knew 
God  ;  for  we  did  not  then  know 
him.  Wherefore,  my  brethren, 
I  am  exceedingly  sorry  both  for 
him,  and  for  his  wife  ;  to  whom 
God  grant  a  true  repentance. 

7  And  be  ye  also  moderate 
upon  this  occasion  ;  and  look  not 
upon  such  as  enemies,  but  call 
them  back  as  suffering,  and  err- 
ing members,  that  ye  may  save 
your  whole  body :  for  by  so  doing, 
ye  shall  edify  your  own  selves. 

8  For  I  trust  that  ye  are  well 
exercised  in  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  that  nothing  is  hid  from  you ; 
but  at  present  it  is  not  granted 
unto  me  to  practice  that  which  is 
3  written,  Be  angry  and  sin  not ; 
and  again,  Let  not  the  sun  go 
down  upon  your  wrath. 

9  Blessed  be  he  that  believeth 
and  remembereth  these  things ; 
which  also  I  trust  you  do. 

10  Now  the  God  and  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and 
he  himself  who  is  our  everlasting 
high-priest,  the  Son  of  God,  even 
Jesus  Christ,  build  you  up  in 
faith  and  in  truth  and  in  all 
meekness  and  lenity ;  in  patience 
and  long-suffering,  in  forbearance 
and  chastity. 

11  And  grant  unto  you  a  lot 
and  portion  among  his  saints ; 
and  us  with  you,  and  to  all  that 
are  under  the  heavens,  who  shall 


believe  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  in  his  Father4 who  raised 
him  from  the  dead. 

12  Pray  for  all  the  saints: 
pray  also  for  kings,  and 5  all  that 
are  in  authority ;  and  for  those 
who  persecute  you,  and  hate  you, 
and  for  the  enemies  of  the  cross ; 
that  your  fruit  may  be  manifest 
in  all;  and  that  ye  may  be  per- 
fect in  6  Christ. 

13  7  Ye  wrote  to  me,  both  ye, 
and  also  Ignatius,  that  if  any  one 
went  from  hence  into  Syria,  he 
should  bring  your  letters  with 
him  ;  which  also  I  will  take  care 
of,  as  soon  as  I  shall  have  a  con- 
venient opportunity ;  either  by 
myself,  or  him  whom  I  shall  send 
upon  your  account. 

14  The  Epistles  of  Ignatius 
which  he  wrote  8  unto  us, together 
with  what  others  of  his  have  come 
to  our  hands,  we  have  sent  to  you, 
according  to  your  order;  which 
are  subjoined  to  this  epistle. 

15  By  which  we  may  be  greatly 
profited  ;  for  they  treat  of  faith 
and  patience,  and  of  all  things 
that  pertain  to  edification  in 9  the 
Lord  Jesus. 

16  ^  What  you  know  certainly 
of  Ignatius,  and  those  that  are 
with  him  signify  to  us. 

17  1  These  things  have  I  writ- 
ten unto  you  by  Crescens,  whom 
by  this  present  epistle  I  have  re- 
commended to  you,  and  do  now 
again  commend. 

18  For  he  has  had  his  conver- 
sation without  blame  among  us  ; 
and  I  suppose  also  with  you. 

19  Ye  will  also  have  regard 
unto  his  sister  when  she  shall 
come  unto  you. 

20  Be  ye  safe  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  ;  10and  in  favour 
with  all  yours.     Amen. 


1  1  Cor.  vi.  2.     2  Phil.  1.     s  Said  in  these  Scriptures.  Psalm  iv.  5.    Eph.  iv. 
2G.     *  Gal.  1,  1  Tim.  ii.  1,  2.     5  Powers  and   princes.     6  Him.     '  See  Annot. 
Usser.  in  loc.        8  i.  e.  To  himself,  and  to  the  church  of  Smyrna.       9Our  Lord. 
10  His  grace  be  with  you  all.  Amen. 
196 


THE  SHEPHERD  OF  HERMAS. 

[This  book  is  thus  entitled,  because  it  was  composed  by  Hennas,  brother  to 
Pius,  bishop  of  Rome;  and  because  the  Angel,  who  bears  the  principal 
part  in  it,  is  represented  in  the  form  and  habit  of  a  shepherd.  Irenseus 
quotes  it  under  the  very  name  of  Scripture.  Origen  thought  it  a  most  use- 
ful writing,  and  that  it  was  divinely  inspired  ;  Eusebius  Bays,  that,  though 
it  was  not  esteemed  canonical,  it  was  read  publicly  in  the  churches,  which 
is  corroborated  by  Jerome;  and  Athanasius  cites  it,  calls  it  a  most'  useful 
work,  and  observes,  that  though  it  was  not  strictly  canonical,  the  Fathers 
appointed  it  to  be  read  for  direction  and  confirmation  in  faith  and  piety. 
Jerome,  notwithstanding  this,  and  that  he  applauded  it  in  his  catalogue  of 
writers,  in  his  comments  upon  it  afterwards,  terms  it  apocryphal  and  foolish. 
Tertullian  praised  it  when  a  Catholic,  and  abused  it  when  a  Montanist 
Although  Gelasius  ranks  it  among  the  apocryphal  books,  it  is  found  at- 
tached to  some  of  the  most  ancient  MS.  of  the  New  Testament ;  and  Arch- 
bishop Wake,  believing  it  the  genuine  work  of  an  apostolic  Father,  pre- 
serves it  to  the  English  reader  by  the  following  translation,  in  which  he  has 
rendered  the  books  not  only  more  exact,  but  in  greater  purity  than  they 
had  before  appeared.  The  Archbishop  procured  Dr.  Grabe  to  entirely  col- 
late the  old  Latin  version  with  an  ancient  MS.  in  the  Lambeth  library  ;  and 
the  learned  prelate  himself  still  further  improved  the  whole  from  a  multi- 
tude of  fragments  of  the  original  Greek  never  before  used  for  that  purpose.] 

The  First  Book  of  HERMAS,  which  is  called  his  VISIONS. 
I. 


VISION 

1  Against  filthy  and  proud  thoughts, 
20  also  the  neglect  of  Hernias  in 
chastising  his  children. 

HE  who  had  bred  me  up  sold 
a  certain  young  maid  at 
Rome;  whom  when  I  saw  many- 
years  after,  I  remembered  her, 
and  began  to  love  her  as  a  sister. 
It  happened  some  time  after- 
wards, that  I  saw  her  washing  in 
the  river  Tyber ;  and  I  reached 
out  my  hand  unto  her,  and 
brought  her  out  of  the  river. 

2  And  when  I  saw  her  I 
thought  with  myself,  saying, 
How  happy  should  I  be  if  I  had 
such  a  wife,  both  for  beauty  and 
manners.  This  I  thought  with 
myself;  nor  did  I  think  any 
more.  But  not  long  after,  as  I 
was  walking  and  musing  on  these 
thoughts,  Ibegan  to  honour  this 
creature  of  God,  thinking  with 
myself ;  how  noble  and  beautiful 
she  was. 

3  And  when  I  had  walked  a 


carried  me  through  a  certain 
place  toward  the  right-hand, 
through  which  no  man  could 
pass.  It  was  a  place  among 
rocks,  very  steep,  and  unpassable 
for  water. 

4  When  I  was  past  this  place, 
I  came  into  a  plain  ;  and  there 
falling  down  upon  my  knees,  I 
began  to  pray  unto  the  Lord,  and 
to  confess  my  sins./ 

5  And  as  I  was  praying,  the 
heaven  was  opened,  and  I  saw  the 
woman  which  I  had  coveted, 
saluting  me  from  heaven,  and 
saying,  Hernias,  hail !  and  I  look- 
ing upon  her,  answered,  Lady, 
what  dost  thou  do  here?  She 
answerered  me,  XI  am  taken  up 
hither  to  accuse  thee  of  sin  be- 
fore the  Lord. 

6  Lady,  said  I,  wilt  thou '  con- 
vince me?  No,  said  she:  but  hear 
the  words  which  I  am  about  to 
speak  unto  thee.  God  who  dwell- 
eth  in  heaven,  and  hath  made  all 
things  out  of  nothing,  and  hath 


little,   I   fell   asleep.     And   the  I  multiplied    them    for   his  holy 
spirit    caught    me     away,    and  1  church's  sake,  is  angry  with  thee 

1  In  MS.  Lambeth.       Prsecepta  sum  a  Domino  ut  peccata  tua  arguarn  :  I 
am  commanded  of  the  Lord  to  reprove  thee  for  thy  sins.  In  Mb.     Wilt 

thou  accuse  me ?  1  „_ 


Against  filthy 


I.  HERMAS. 


and  proud  thoughts. 


because  thou  hast  sinned  against 
ine. 

7  And  I  answering  said  unto 
her,  Lady,  if  I  have  sinned 
against  thee,  tell  ine  where,  or  in 
what  place,  or  when  did  I  ever 
speak  an  unseemly  or  dishonest 
word  unto  thee  ? 

8  Have  I  not  always  esteemed 
thee  as  a  lady  ?  Have  I  not  al- 
ways reverenced  thee  as  a  sister  ? 
Why  then  dost  thou  imagine 
these  wicked  things  against  me  ? 

9  Then  she,  smiling  upon  me, 
said  :  the  desire  of  naughtiness 
has  risen  up  in  thy  heart.  Does 
it  not  seem  to  thee  to  be  an  ill 
thing  for  a  righteous  man  to  have 
an  evil  desire  rise  up  in  his  heart? 

10  It  is  indeed  a  sin,  and  that 
a  very  great  one,  to  such  a  one ; 
for  a  righteous  man  thinketh 
that  which  is  righteous.  And 
whilst  he  does  so,  and  walketh 
uprightly,  he  shall  have  the 
Lord  in  heaven  favorable  unto 
him  in  all  his  business. 

11  But  as  for  those  who  thiuk 
wickedly  in  their  hearts,  they 
take  to  themselves  death  and 
captivity  ;  and  especially  those 
who  love  this  present  world,  and 
glory  in  their  riches,  and  regard 
not  the  good  things  that  are  to 
come ;  their  souls  wander  up 
and  down,  and  know  not  where 
to  fix. 

12  Now  this  is  the  case  of 
such  as  are  double-minded,  who 
trust  not  in  the  Lord,  and  de- 
spise and  neglect  their  own  life. 

13  But  do  thou  pray  unto  the 
Lord,  and  he  will  heal  thy  sins, 
and  the  sins  of  thy  whole  house, 
and  of  all  his  saints. 

14  T[  As  soon  as  she  had 
spoken  these  words  the  heavens 
Avere  shut,  and  I  remained  utterly 
swallowed  up  with  sadness  and 
fear;  and  said  within  myself,  if! 


this  be  laid  against  me  for  sin, 
how  can  I  be  saved  ? 

15  Or  how  shall  I  ever  be 
able  to  entreat  the  Lord  for  my 
many  and  great  sins?  With 
what  words  shall  I  beseech  him 
to  be  merciful  unto  me  ? 

16  As  I  was  thinking  over 
these  things,  and  meditating  in 
myself  upon  them,  behold  a  chair 
was  set  over  against  me  of  the 
whitest  wool,  as  bright  as  snow. 

17  And  there  came  an  old 
woman  in  a  bright  garment,  hav- 
ing a  book  in  her  hand,  and  sat 
alone,  and  saluted  me,  saying, 
1  Hernias,  hail  !  and  I  being  full 
of  sorrow,  and  weeping,  answer- 
ed, Hail,  Lady ! 

18  And  she  said  unto  me, 
Why  art  thou  sad,  Hermas,  who 
wert  wont  to  be  patient,  and 
modest,  and  always  cheerful  ?  I 
answered,  and  said  to  her,  Lady, 
a  reproach  has  been  laid  to  my 
charge  by  an  excellent  woman, 
who  tells  me,  that  I  have  sinned 
against  her. 

19  She  replied,  Far  be  any 
such  thing  from  the  servant  of 
God.  But  it  may  be  the  desire 
of  her  has  risen  up  in  thy  heart. 
For  indeed  su  ch  a  thought  maketh 
the  servants  of  God  guilty  of  sin. 

20  Nor  ought  such  a  detesta- 
ble thought  to  be  in  the  servant 
of  God  :  nor  should  he  who  is 
approved  by  the  Spirit  desire 
that  which  is  evil ;  but  especial- 
ly Hermas,  who  contains  him- 
self from  all  wicked  lusts,  and 
is  full  of  all  simplicity,  and  of 
great  innocence. 

21  T  Nevertheless  the  Lord 
is  not  so  much  angry  with  thee 
for  thine  own  sake,  as  upon  the 
account  of  thy  house,  which  has 
committed  wickedness  against  the 
Lord,  and  against  their  parents. 

22  And  for  that   out  of  thy 


198 


Vid.  Hieron  in  Hoseam,  vii.  9. 


On  neglecting  to 


VISION  II. 


chastise  his  children. 


fondness  towards  thy  sons,  thou 
hast  not  admonished  thy  house, 
but  hast  permitted  them  to  live 
wickedly ;  for  this  cause  the  Lord 
is  angry  with  thee:  but  he  will 
heal  all  the  evils  that  are  done  in 
thy  house.  For  through  their  sins 
and  iniquities,  thou  art  wholly 
consumed  in  secular  affairs. 

23  But  now  the  mercy  of  God 
hath  taken  compassion  upon 
thee,  and  upon  thine  house,  and 
hath  greatly  comforted  thee. 
Only  as  for  thee,  do  not  wander, 
but  be  of  an  even  mind,  and 
comfort  thy  house. 

24  As  the  workman  bringing 
forth  his  work,  offers  it  to  whom- 
soever he  pleaseth ;  so  shalt  thou 
by  teaching  every  day  what  is 
just  cut  off  a  great  sin.  Where- 
fore cease  not  to  admonish  thy 
sons,  for  the  Lord  knows  that 
they  will  repent  with  all  their 
heart,  2  and  they  shall  be  written 
in  the  book  of  life. 

25  And  when  she  had  said 
this,  she  added  unto  me ;  Wilt 
thou  hear  me  read  ? — I  answered 
her,  Lady,  I  will. 

26  Hear  then,  said  she;  and 
opening  the  book  she  read,  glo- 
riously, greatly,  and  wonderful- 
ly, such  things  as  I  could  not 
keep  in  my  memory.  For  they 
were  terrible  words,  such  as  no 
man  could  bear. 

27  Howbeit  I  committed  her 
last  words  to  my  remembrance  ; 
for  they  were  but  few,  and  of 
great  use  to  us. 

28  Behold  the  mighty  Lord, 
who  by  his  invisible  power,  and 
with  his  excellent  wisdom  made 
the  world,  and  by  his  glorious 
counsel  beautified  his  creature, 
and  with  the  word  of  his  strength 
fixed  the  heaven,  and  founded 

and 


the  earth  upon  the  waters 

1  In  Glory.     Edit.     Oxon.     Hath  preserved  thee  in  honour 
Lamb.  Et  describentur  in  Ubre  vit»-     3  EdU.  Oxon.     «  Et  ejua  rnodo 


by  this  powerful  virtue  estab- 
lished his  Holy  Church,  which 
he  hath  blessed. 

29  Behold  he  will  remove  the 
heavens,  and  the  mountains,  the 
hills,  and  the  seas  ;  and  all  things 
shall  be  made  plain  for  his  elect ; 
that  he  may  render  unto  them  the 
promise  which  he  has  promised, 
with  much  honour  and  joy  ;  if  so 
be  that  they  shall  keep  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  which  they 
have  received  with  great  faith. 

30  Tf  And  when  she  had  made 
an  end  of  reading,  she  rose  out 
of  the  chair ;  and  behold  four 
young  men  came,  and  carried 
the  chair  to  the  east. 

31  And  she  called  me  unto  her, 
and  touched  my  breast,  and  said 
unto  me,  Did  my  reading  please 
thee  ?  I  answered,  Lady,  these 
last  things  please  me ;  but  what 
went  before  was  severe  and  hard. 

32  She  said  unto  me,  these 
last  things  are  for 3  the  righteous, 
but  the  foregoing  for  the  revol- 
ters  and  heathen. 

33  And  as  she  was  talking  with 
me,  two  men  appeared,  and  took 
her  upon  their  shoulders  and  went 
to  the  east  where  the  chair  was. 

34  And  she  went  cheerfully 
away ;  and  as  she  was  going, 
said  unto  me,  Hermas,  be  of 
good  cheer. 

VISION  II. 

Again,  of  his  neglect  in  correcting  his 
talkative  wife ;  and  of  his  lend  nous* 

AS  I  was  on  the  way  to  Cuma, 
about  the  same  time  that 
I  went  the  year  before,  I  began 
to  call  to  mind  the  vision  I  for- 
merly had.  And  again  the  spirit 
carried  me  away,  and  brought 
me  into  the  same  place,  in  which 
I  had  been  the  year  before. 

2  And  when  I  was  come  into 
the  place,  I  fell  down  upon  my 
2  So.  HSS. 


Of  his  neglect  to 


I.  HERMAS.     correct  his  talkative  ivife. 


knees,  and  began  to  pray  unto 
the  Lord,  and  to  glorify  his 
name,  that  he  had  esteemed  me 
"worthy,  and  had  manifested  unto 
me  my  former  sins. 

3  And  when  I  arose  from 
prayer,  behold  I  saw  over  against 
me  the  old  woman  whom  I  had 
seen  the  last  year,  walking  and 
reading  in  a  certain  book. 

4  And  she  said  unto  me,  Canst 
thou  tell  these  things  to  the  elect 
of  God?  I  answered  and  said 
unto  her,  Lady,  I  cannot  retain 
so  many  things  in  my  memory, 
but  give  me  the  book,  and  I  will 
write  them  down. 

5  Take  it,  says  she,  and  see 
that  thou  restore  it  again  to  me. 

6  As  soon  as  I  had  received  it, 
I  went  aside  into  a  certain  place 
of  the  field,  and  transcribed  every 
letter,  for  I  found  no  syllables. 

7  And  as  soon  as  I  had  fin- 
ished what  was  written  in  the 
book,  the  book  was  suddenly 
caught  out  of  my  hand,  but  by 
whom  I  saw  not. 

8  T[  After  fifteen  days,  when 
I  had  fasted,  and  entreated  the 
Lord  with  all  earnestness,  the 
knowledge  of  the  writing  was  re- 
vealed unto  me.  Now  the  writ- 
ing was  this : 

9  Thy  seed,  0  Hermas !  hath 
sinned  against  the  Lord,  and 
have  betrayed  their  parents, 
through  their  great  wickedness. 
And  they  have  been  called  the 
betrayers  of  their  parents,  and 
have  gone  on  in  their  treachery. 

10  And  now  have  they  added 
lewdness  to  their  other  sins,  and 
the  pollutions  of  their  naughti- 
ness: thus  have  they  filled  up  the 
measure  of  their  iniquities.  But 
do  thou  2  upbraid  thy  sons  with 
all  these  words ;    and  thy  wife, 


which  shall  be  thy  sister  ;  and  let 
her  learn  to  refrain  her  tongue, 
with  which  she  calumniates. 

11  And  when  she  shall  hear 
these  things,  she  will  refrain  her- 
self, and  shall  obtain  mercy. 

12  And  3they  also  shall  be 
instructed,  when  thou  shalt  have 
reproached  them  with  these 
words,  which  the  Lord  has  com- 
manded to  be  revealed  unto  thee. 

13  Then  shall  their  sins  be  for- 
given, which  they  have  hereto- 
fore committed,  and  the  sins  of  all 
the  saints  who  have  sinned  even 
unto  this  day ;  if  they  shall  repent 
with  all  their  hearts,  and  remove 
all  doubts  out  of  their  hearts. 

14  For  the  Lord  hath  sworn 
by  his  glory  concerning  his  4elect, 
having  determined  this  very  time, 
that  if  any  one  shall  5  even  now 
sin,  he  shall  not  be  saved. 

15  For  the  repentance  of  the 
righteous  has  its  end ;  the  days 
of  repentance  are  fulfilled  to  all 
the  saints  ;  but  to  the  heathen, 
there  is  repentance  even  unto 
the  last  day. 

16  Thou  shalt  therefore  say  to 
those  who  are  over  the  church ; 
that  they  order  their  ways  in 
righteousness,  that  they  may 
fully  receive  the  promise  with 
much  glory. 

17  Stand  fast  therefore  ye  that 
work  righteousness  and  continue 
to  do  it,  that  your  departure 
may  be  with  the  holy  angels. 

18  Happy  are  ye,  as  many  as 
shall  endure  the  great  trial  that 
is  at  hand,  and  whosoever  shall 
not  deny  his  life. 

19  For  the  Lord  hath  sworn 
by  his  Son,  that  whoso  denieth 
his  Son  and  him,  being  afraid  of 
his  life,  he  will  also  deny  him  in 
the  6  world  that  is  to  come. 


^lem.  Alex.  Strom.  2vi.       Impropera.       3Soone  MS.  in  Coteler.  Edit. 
Oxon.     And  she,  &c.     4Day.     Prsefinita  ista  die  etiam  nunc  si  peccaverit 
aliquis  Lat.     5  Shall  sin  after  it.     6  Days  that  are  coming. 
200 


Of  his  neglect  to 


VISION  III. 


correct  his  child  r,  n. 


20  But  those  who  shall  never 
deny  him,  he  will  of  his  exceed- 
ing great  mercy  be  favourable 
unto  them. 

21  t  But  thou,  O  Hermas! 
remember  not  the  1  evils  which 
thy  sons  have  done,  neither  ne- 
glect thy  sister,  but  take  care 
that  they  amend  of  their  former 
sins. 

22  For  they  will  be  instructed 
by  this  doctrine,  if  thou  shait 
not  be  mindful  of  what  they  have 
done  wickedly. 

23  For  the  remembrance  of 
evils  worketh  death,  but  the  for- 
getting of  them  life  eternal. 

24  But  thou,  O  Hermas !  hast 
undergone  a  great  many  worldly 
troubles  for  the  offences  of  thy 
house,  because  thou  hast  ne- 
glected them,  as  things  that  did 
not  belong  unto  thee  ;  and  thou 
art  wholly  taken  up  with  thy 
great  business. 

25  Nevertheless,  for  this  cause 
shalt  thou  be  saved,  that  thou 
hast  not  departed  from  the  living 
God,  and  thy  simplicity  and  sin- 
gular continency  shall  preserve 
thee,  if  thou  shalt  continue  in 
them. 

26  Yea,  they  shall  save  all 
such  as  do  such  things,  and  walk 
in  innocence  and  simplicity. 

27  They  who  are  of  this  kind 
shall  prevail  against  all  impiety, 
and  continue  until  life  eternal. 

28  Happy  are  all  they  that 
do  righteousness,  they  shall  not 
be  consumed  for  ever. 

29  But  thou  wilt  say,  Behold 
there  is  a  great  trial  coming.  If  it 
seem  good  to  thee,  deny  him 
again. 

30  The  Lord  is  nigh  to  them 
that  turn  to  him,  as  it  is  written 
in   the   book   of  *  Heldam   and 


Modal,  who  prophesied   to   the 
people  of  Israel  in  the  wilderness. 

31  If  Moreover,  brethren,  it 
was  revealed  to  me,  as  1  was 
sleeping,  by  a  very  goodly  young 
man,  saying  unto  me,  What 
thinkest  thou  of  that  old  woman 
from  whom  thou  receivedst  the 
book  ;  who  is  she  ?  I  answered, 
a  Sybil. 

32  Thou  art  mistaken,  said 
he,  she  is  not.  I  replied,  Who 
is  she  then,  sir  ?  He  answered 
me,  It  is  the  church  of  God. 

33  And  I  said  unto  him,  Why 
then  does  she  appear  old  ?  She  is 
therefore,  said  he,  an  old  wo- 
man, because  she  was  3  the  first 
of  all  the  creation,  and  the  world 
was  made  for  her. 

34  After  this  I  saw  a  vision 
at  home  in  my  own  house,  and  the 
old  woman  whom  I  had  seen  be- 
fore, came  to  me  and  asked  me, 
whether  I  had  yet  delivered  4  her 
book  to  the  elders  of  the  church  ? 
And  I  answered,  that  I  had  not 
yet. 

35  She  replied,  Thou  hast  well 
done,  for  I  have  certain  words 
more  to  tell  thee.  But  when  I 
shall  have  finished  all  the  words, 
they  shall  be  clearly  understood 
by  the  elect. 

36  5  And  thou  shalt  write  two 
books,  and  send  one  to  Clement 
and  one  to  Grapte.  For  Clement 
shall  send  it  to  the  foreign  cities, 
because  rt  is  permitted  to  him  so 
to  do  :  but  Grapte  shall  admon- 
ish the  widows  and  orphans. 

37  But  thou  shalt  read  in  this 
city  with  the  elders  of  the  church. 

VISION  III. 

Of  the  building  of  thechurch  triumphant, 
and  of  the  several  sorts  of  reprobates. 

THE  vision  which  I  saw,  bre- 
thren, was  this. 

Grabe'a 
4Suum 


injuries.  2Eldad  and-Medad.  Numb.  xi.  26,  27.  8See  Dr. 
Annot.  to  Bishop  Bull's  Def.  Fid.  Nic.  p.  24.  Fol.  de  S.  Herma. 
is  added  in  the  Lambeth  MS.     6Origen.     Philocal,  cap.  1. 


Of  the  church 


I.  HERMAS. 


triumphant. 


2  When  I  had  often  fasted 
and  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  that 
he  would  manifest  unto  me  the 
revelation,  which  he  had  pro- 
mised by  the  old  woman  to  shew 
unto  me;  the  same  night  she  ap- 
peared unto  me,  and  said  unto  me: 

3  Because  thou  dost  thus  af- 
flict thyself,  and  art  so  desirous 
to  know  all  things,  come  into 
the  field,  where  thou  wilt,  and 
about  the  sixth  hour,  I  will  ap- 
pear unto  thee,  and  shew  thee 
what  thou  must  see. 

4  I  asked  her,  saying:  Lady,  in- 
to what  partpf  the  field ?  She  an- 
swered, wherever  thou  wilt,  only 
choose  a  good  and  a  private  place. 
And  before  I  began  to  speak  and 
tell  her  the  place,  she  said  unto 
me :  I  will  come  where.thou  wilt. 

5  I  was  therefore,  brethren,  in 
the  field,  and  I  observed  the  hours 
and  came  into  the  place  where  I 
had  appointed  her  to  come. 

6  And  I  beheld  a  bench  placed; 
it  was  a  linen  pillow,  and  over  it 
spread  a  covering  of  fine  linen. 

7  When  I  saw  these  things 
ordered  in  this  manner,  and  that 
there  was  nobody  in  the  place,  I 
began  to  be  astonished,  and  my 
hair  stood  on  end,  and  a  kind  of 
horror  seized  me ;  for  I  was  alone. 

8  But,  being  come  to  myself, 
and  calling  to  mind  the  glory  of 
God,  and  taking  courage,  I  fell 
down  upon  my  knees,  and  began 
again  to  confess  my  sins  as  before. 

9  And  whilst  I  was  doing  this, 
the  old  woman  came  thither  with 
the  six  young  men  whom  I  had 
seen  before,  and  stood  behind 
me  as  I  was  praying,  and  heard 
me  praying  and  confessing  my 
sins  unto  the  Lord. 

10  And  touching  me,  she  said: 
Leave  off  to  pray  now  only  for 
thy  sins ;  pray  also  for  righteous- 
ness, that  thou  mayest  receive  a 
part  of  her  in  thy  house. 

202 


11  And  she  lifted  me  up  from 
the  place,  and  took  me  by  the 
hand,  and  brought  me  to  the 
seat;  and  said  to  the  young 
men  ;  go,  and  build. 

12  As  soon  as  they  were  de- 
parted, and  we  were  alone,  she 
said  unto  me:  sit  here.  I  an- 
swered her :  Lady,  let  those  who 
are  elder  sit  first.  She  replied, 
Sit  down  as  I  bid  you. 

13  And  when  I  would  have  sat 
on  the  right  side,  she  suffered  me 
not,  but  made  a  sign  to  me  with  her 
hand,  that  I  should  sit  on  the  left. 

14  As  I  was  therefore  musing, 
and  full  of  sorrow,  that  she 
would  not  suffer  me  to  sit  on  the 
right  side,  she  said  unto  me, 
Hermas,  why  art  thou  sad  ? 

15  The  place  which  is  on  the 
right  hand  is  theirs  who  have 
already  attained  unto  God,  and 
have  suffered  for  his  name-sake. 
But  there  is  yet  a  great  deal  re- 
maining unto  thee,  before  thou 
canst  sit  with  them. 

16  But  continue  as  thou  doest 
in  thy  sincerity,  and  thou  shalt 
sit  with  them :  as  all  others  shall 
that  do  their  works,  and  shall 
bear  what  they  have  borne. 

17  T[  I  said  to  her:  Lady,  I 
would  know  what  it  is  that  they 
have  suffered  ?  Hear  then,  said 
she:  wild  beasts,  scourgings,  im- 
prisonments, and  crosses  for  his 
name-sake. 

18  For  this  cause  the  right 
hand  of  holiness  belongs  to  them, 
and  to  all  others  as  many  as 
shall  suffer  for  the  name  of  God ; 
but  the  left  belongs  to  the  rest. 

19  Howbeit  the  gifts  and  the 
promises  belong  to  both,  to  them 
on  the  right,  and  to  those  on  the 
left  hand;  only  that  sitting  on 
the  right  hand  they  have  some 
glory  above  the  others. 

20  But  thou  art  desirous  to 
sit  on  the  right  hand  with  them, 


Of  the  CJiurch  VISION  III. 


Trii 


mphant, 


and  yet  thy  '  defects  are  many. 
But  thou  shalt  be  purged  from 
thy  defects,  as  also  all  who  doubt 
not  shall  be  cleansed  from  all 
the  sins  which  they  have  com- 
mitted unto  this  day. 

21  And  when  she  had  said 
this  she  would  have  departed. 

22  Wherefore,  falling  down 
before  her  feet,  I  began  to  en- 
treat her,  for  the  Lord's  sake, 
that  she  would  shew  me  the 
vision  which  she  had  promised. 

23  Then  she  again  took  me 
by  the  hand,  and  lifted  me  up, 
and  made  me  sit  upon  the  seat 
on  the  left  side  ;  and  holding  up 
a  certain  bright  wand,  said  unto 
me,  Seest  thou  that  great  thing  ? 
I  replied,  Lady,  I  see  nothing. 

24  She  answered,  Dost  thou 
not  see  over  against  thee  a  great 
tower,  which  is  built  upon  the 
water,  with  bright  square  stones  ? 

25  For  the  tower  was  built 
upon  a  square  by  these  six  young 
men  that  came  with  her. 

26  But  many  thousand  of  other 
men  brought  stones  ;  some  drew 
them  out  of  the  deep,  others  car- 
ried them  from  the  ground,  and 
gave  them  to  the  six  young  men. 
And  they  took  them  and  built. 

27  As  for  those  stones  which 
were  drawn  out  of  the  deep,  they 
put  them  all  into  the  building ; 
for  they  were  polished,  and  their 
squares  exactly  answered  one 
another,  and  so  one  was  joined 
in  such  wise  to  the  other,  that 
there  was  no  space  to  be  seen 
where  they  joined,  insomuch  that 
the  whole  tower  appeared  to  be 
built  as  it  were  of  one  stone. 

28  But  as  for  the  other  stones 
that  were  taken  off  from  the 
ground,  some  of  them  they  re- 
jected, others  they  fitted  into  the 
building. 


29  As  for  those  which  were 
rejected,  some  they  cut  out,  and 
cast  them  at  a  distance  from  the 
tower  ;  but  many  others  of  them 
lay  round  about  the  tower,  which 
they  made  no  use  of  in  the 
budding. 

30  For  some  of  these  were 
rough,  others  had  clefts  in  them, 
others  were  white  and  round, 
not  proper  for  the  building  of 
the  tower. 

31  But  I  saw  the  other  stones 
cast  afar  off  from  the  tower,  and 
falling  into  the  high-way,  and 
yet  not  continuing  in  the  way, 
but  were  rolled  from  the  way 
into  a  desert  place. 

32  Others  I  saw  falling  into 
the  fire  and  burning;  others  fell 
near  the  water,  yet  could  not  roll 
themselves  into  it,  though  very 
desirous  to  fall  into  the  water. 

33  Tf  And  when  she  had  shewed 
me  these  things  she  would  have 
departed:  but  I  said  to  her, 
Lady,  what  doth  it  profit  me  to 
see  these  things,  and  not  under- 
stand what  they  mean  ? 

34  She  answered  and  said 
unto  me:  You  are  very  cunning, 
in  that  you  are  desirous  to  know 
those  things  which  2  relate  to  the 
tower.  Yea,  said  I,  Lady,  that 
I  may  declare  them  unto  the 
brethren,  and  they  may  rejoice, 
and  hearing  these  things  may 
glorify  God  with  great  glory. 

35  Then  she  said,  Many  in- 
deed shall  hear  them,  and  when 
they  shall  have  heard  them, 
some  shall  rejoice,  and  others 
weep.  And  yet  even  these,  if  they 
shall  repent,  shall  rejoice  too. 

36  Hear  therefore  what  I  shall 
say  concerning  the  parable  of 
the  tower,  and  after  this  be  no 
longer  importunate  with  me 
about  the  revelation. 


1  Lat.  Exiguitatas. 


'  Are  about. 


203 


and  of 


I.  HERMAS. 


sorts  of  reprobates. 


37  For  these  revelations  have 
an  end,  seeing  they  are  fulfilled. 
But  thou  dost  not  leave  off  to 
desire  revelations,  for  thou  art 
very  '  urgent. 

38  As  for  the  tower  which  thou 
seest  huilt,  it  is  myself,  namely 
the  church,  which  have  appeared 
to  thee  both  now  and  heretofore. 
"Wherefore  ask  what  thou  wilt 
concerning  the  tower,  and  I  will 
reveal  it  unto  thee,  that  thou 
mayst  rejoice  with  the  saints. 

39  I  said  unto  her,  Lady,  be- 
cause thou  hast  thought  me  once 
worthy  to  receive  from  thee  the 
revelation  of  all  these  things, 
declare  them  unto  me. 

40  She  answered  me,  Whatso- 
ever is  fit  to  be  revealed  unto  thee 
shall  be  revealed  :  2  only  let  thy 
heart  be  with  the  Lord,  and  doubt 
not,  whatsoever  thou  shalt  see. 

41  I  asked  her,  Lady,  why  is 
the  tower  built  upon  the  3  water? 
She  replied,  I  said  before  to  thee 
that  thou  wert  very  wise  to  in- 
quire diligently  concerning  the 
building,  therefore  thou  shalt 
find  the  truth. 

42  Hear  therefore  why  the 
tower  is  built  upon  the  water : 
because  your  life  is  and  shall  be 
saved  by  water.  For  *  it  is  found- 
ed by  the  word  of  the  almighty 
and  honourable  name,  and  is 
supported  by  the  invisible  power 
and  virtue  of  God. 

43  f  And  I  answering,  said 
unto  her,  These  things  are  very 
admirable;  but,  lady,  who  are 
those  six  young  men  that  build  ? 

44  They  are,  said  she,  the 
angels  of  God,  which  were  first 
appointed,  and  to  whom  the  Lord 
has  delivered  all  his  creatures,  to 
frame  and  build  them  up,  and  to 
rule  over  them.  For  by  these 
the  building  of  the  tower  shall 
be  finished. 

1  Edit.  Oxon.     2Clem.  Alex.  Strom. 
204 


45  And  who  are  the  rest  who 
bring  them  stones  ? 

46  They  also  are  the  holy  an- 
gels of  the  Lord ;  but  the  other  are 
more  excellent  than  these.  Where- 
fore when  the  whole  building  of 
the  tower  shall  be  finished,  they 
shall  all  feast  together  beside  the 
tower,  and  shall  glorify  God, 
because  the  structure  of  the  tower 
is  finished. 

47  I  asked  her,  saying,  I 
would  know  the  condition  of  the 
stones,  and  the  meaning  of  them, 
what  it  is? 

48  She  answering,  said  unto 
me,  Art  thou  better  than  all 
others  that  this  should  be  re- 
vealed unto  thee?  For  others 
are  both  before  thee,  and  better 
than  thou  art,  to  whom  these 
visions  should  be  made  mani- 
fest. 

49  Nevertheless,  that  the  name 
of  God  may  be  glorified,  it  has 
been,  and  shall  be  revealed  unto 
thee,  for  the  sake  of  those  who 
are  doubtful,  and  think  in  their 
hearts  whether  these  things  are 
so  or  not. 

50  Tell  them  that  all  these 
things  are  true,  and  that  there  is 
nothing  in  them  that  is  not  true ; 
but  all  are  firm  and  truly  estab- 
lished. 

51  ^[  Hear  now  then  concern- 
ing the  stones  that  are  in  the 
building. 

52  The  square  and  white  stones 
which  agree  exactly  in  their  j  oints, 
are  the  apostles,  and  bishops, 
and  doctors,  and  ministers,  who 
through  the  mercy  of  God  have 
come  in,  and  governed,  and 
taught  and  ministered  holily  and 
modestly  to  the  elect  of  God, 
both  they  that  have  fallen 
asleep,  and  which  yet  remain  ; 
and  have  always  agreed  with 
them,  and  have  had  peace  within 
xii.     3  Baptism.   4  Namely,  the  tower. 


Of  the  church 


VISION  III. 


triumphntit, 


themselves,  and  have  heard  each 
other. 

53  For  which  cause  their 
joints  exactly  meet  together  in 
the  building  of  the  tower. 

54  They  which  are  drawn  out 
of  the  deep  and  put  into  the 
building,  and  whose  joints  agree 
with  the  other  stones  which  are 
already  built,  are  those  which 
are  already  fallen  asleep,  and 
have  suffered  for  the  sake  of  the 
Lord's  name. 

55  And  what  are  the  other 
stones,  lady,  that  are  brought 
from  the  earth  ?  I  would  know 
what  are  they. 

56  She  answered,  They  which 
lie  upon  the  ground  and  are  not 
polished,  are  those  which  God 
has  approved,  because  they  have 
walked  in  !  the  law  of  the  Lord, 
and  directed  their  ways  in  his 
commandments. 

57  They  which  are  brought 
and  put  in  the  building  of  the 
tower,  are  the  young  in  faith 
and  the  faithful.  And  these  are 
admonished  by  the  angels  to  do 
well  because  that  iniquity  is  not 
found  in  them. 

58  But  who  are  those  whom 
they  rejected,  and  laid  beside 
the  tower  ? 

59  They  are  such  as  have  sin- 
ned and  are  willing  to  repent ; 
for  which  cause  they  are  not  cast 
far  from  the  tower,  because  they 
will  be  useful  for  the  building, 
if  they  shall  repent. 

60  They  therefore  that  are  yet 
to  repent,  if  they  shall  repent, 
shall  become  strong  in  the  faith  ; 
that  is,  if  they  repent  now,  whilst 
the  tower  is  building.  For  if  the 
building  shall  be  finished  there 
will  then  be  no  place  for  them 
to  be  put  in,  but  they  shall  be 
rejected;    for  he   only  has  this 


privilege  who  shall  now  be  put 
into  the  tower. 

61  ^[  But  would  you  know 
who  they  are  that  were  cut  out, 
and  cast  afar  off  from  the  tower? 
2  Lady,  said  I,  I  desire  it. 

62  They  are  the  children  of 
iniquity,  who  believed  only  in 
hypocrisy,  but  departed  not  from 
their  evil  ways  ;  for  this  cause 
they  shall  not  be  saved,  because 
they  are  not  of  any  use  in  the 
building  by  reason  of  their  sins. 

63  TV  herefore  they  are  cut  out, 
and  cast  afar  off,  because  of  the 
anger  of  the  Lord,  and  because 
they  have  provoked  him  to  anger 
against  them. 

64  As  for  the  great  number  of 
other  stones  which  thou  hast 
seen  placed  about  the  tower,  but 
not  put  into  the  buildings  ;  those 
which  are  rugged,  are  they  who 
have  known  the  truth,  but  have 
not  continued  in  it,  nor  been 
joined  to  the  saints,  and  there- 
fore are  unprofitable. 

65  Those  that  have  clefts  in 
them,  are  they  that  keep  up  dis- 
cord in  their  hearts  against  each 
other,  and  live  not  in  peace ;  that 
are  friendly  when  present  with 
their  brethren,  but  as  soon  as 
they  are  departed  from  one 
another,  their  wickedness  still 
continues  in  their  hearts  :  these 
are  the  clefts  which  are  seen  in 
those  stones. 

66  Those  that  are  maimed  and 
short,  are  they  who  have  be- 
lieved indeed,  but  still  are  in 
great  measure  full  of  wicked- 
ness :  for  this  cause  they  are 
maimed  and  not  whole. 

67  But  what  are  the  white 
and  round  stones,  lady,  and 
which  are  not  proper  for  the 
building  of  the  tower  ? 

68  She   answering   said  unto 


1  In  sequitatem  Domini,  Lat.         2  Edit.  Oxon. 


205 


and  of  several 


I.  HERMAS. 


of  reprobates. 


me :  How  long  wilt  thou  con- 
tinue foolish  and  without  under- 
standing, asking  everything  and 
discerning  nothing  ? 

69  They  are  such  as  have 
faith  indeed,  but  have  withal 
the  riches  of  this  present  world. 
When  therefore  any  :  troubles 
arise,  for  the  sake  of  their  riches 
and  traffic,  they  deny  the  Lord. 

70  I  answering,  said  unto  her, 
When  therefore  will  they  be  pro- 
fitable to  the  Lord  ?  When  their 
riches  shall  be  cut  away,  says 
she,  in  which  they  take  delight, 
then  they  will  be  profitable  unto 
the  Lord  for  his  building. 

71  For  as  a  round  stone,  un- 
less it  be  cut  away,  and  cast 
somewhat  off,  its  bulk  cannot  be 
made  square,  so  they  who  are 
rich  in  this  world,  unless  their 
riches  be  pared  off,  cannot  be 
made  profitable  unto  the  Lord. 

72  Learn  this  from  thy  own 
experience ;  when  thou  wert 
rich,  thou  wast  unprofitable ; 
but  now  thou  art  profitable,  and 
fit  for  the  life  which  thou  hast 
undertaken ;  for  thou  also  once 
wast  one  of  those  stones. 

73  ^[  As  for  the  rest  of  the 
stones  which  thou  sawest  cast 
afar  off  from  the  tower,  and 
running  in  the  way,  and  tum- 
bled out  of  the  way  into  desert 
places,  they  are  such  as  have  be- 
lieved indeed,  but  through  their 
doubting  have  forsaken  the  true 
way,  thinking  that  they  could 
find  a  better.  But  they  wander 
and  are  miserable,  going  into 
desolate  ways. 

74  Then  for  those  stones 
which  fell  into  the  fire  and  were 
burnt,  they  are  those  who  have 
2  for  ever  departed  from  the  liv- 
ing God ;  nor  doth  it  ever  come 
into  their  hearts  to  repent,  by 
reason    of    the    affection   which 


they  bear  to   their    lusts    and 
wickednesses  which  they  commit. 

75  And  what  are  the  rest 
which  fell  by  the  water,  and 
could  not  roll  into  the  water  ? 

76  They  are  such  as  have 
heard  the  word,  and  were  wil- 
ling to  be  baptized  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord ;  but  considering 
the  great  holiness  which  the 
truth  requires,  have  withdrawn 
themselves,  and  walked  again 
after  their  wicked  lusts. 

77  Thus  she  finished  the  ex- 
plication of  the  tower. 

78  But  I  being  still  urgent, 
asked  her,  Is  there  repentance 
allowed  to  all  those  stones  which 
are  thus  cast  away,  and  were  not 
suitable  to  the  building  of  the 
tower ;  and  shall  they  find  place 
in  this  tower  ? 

79  They  may  repent,  said 
she,  but  they  cannot  come  into 
this  tower ;  but  they  shall  be 
placed  in  a  much  lower  rank, 
and  this  after  that  they  shall 
have  been  afflicted,  and  fulfilled 
the  days  of  their  sins. 

80  And  for  this  cause  they 
shall  be  removed,  because  they 
have  received  the  word  of  right- 
eousness :  and  then  they  shall 
be  translated  from  their  afflic- 
tions, if  they  shall  have  a  true 
sense  in  their  hearts  of  what 
they  have  done  amiss. 

81  But  if  they  shall  not  have 
this  sense  in  their  hearts,  they 
shall  not  be  saved  by  reason  of 
the  hardness  of  their  hearts. 

82  When  therefore  I  had 
done  asking  her  concerning  all 
these  things,  she  said  unto  me, 
Wilt  thou  see  somewhat  else? 
And  being  desirous  of  seeing  it, 
I  became  very  cheerful  of  coun- 
tenance. 

83  She  therefore  looking  back 


206 


Tribulation  arises. 


Finally. 


Of  the  church 


VISION  III. 


triumphant 


upon  me,  and  smiling  a  little, 
said  unto  me,  Seest  thou  seven 
women  about  the  tower  ?  Lady, 
said  I,  I  see  them. 

84  This  tower,  replied  she,  is 
supported  by  them,  according  to 
the  command  of  the  Lord  :  hear 
therefore  the  effects  of  them. 

85  The  first  of  them,  which 
holds  fast  with  her  hand,  is 
called  Faith,  by  her  the  elect 
shall  be  saved.  The  next,  which 
is  girt  up,  and  looks  manly,  is 
named  Abstinence :  she  is  the 
daughter  of  Faith. 

86  Whosoever  therefore  shall 
follow  her  shall  be  happy  in  all 
his  life,  because  he  shall  abstain 
from  all  evil  works,  believing  that 
if  he  shall  contain  himself  from 
all  concupiscence,  he  shall  be  the 
heir  of  eternal  life.  And  what, 
lady,  said  I,  are  the  other  five  ? 

87  They  are,  replied  she,  the 
daughters  of  one  another.  The 
first  of  them  is  called  Simplicity  ; 
the  next  Innocence ;  the  third 
Modesty  ;  then  Discipline  ;  and 
the  last  of  all  is  Charity.  When 
therefore  thou  shalt  have  fulfilled 
the  works  of  their  mother,  thou 
shalt  be  able  to  do  all  things. 

88  Lady,  said  I,  I  would  know 
what  particular  virtue  every  one 
of  these  has. 

89  Hear  then,  replied  she; 
they  have  equal  virtues,  and 
their  virtues  are  knit  together, 
and  follow  one  another  as  they 
were  born. 

90  From  Faith  proceeds  Ab- 
stinence ;  from  Abstinence,  Sim- 
plicity ;  from  Simplicity,  Inno- 
cence; from  Innocence,  Modesty ; 
from  Modesty,  Discipline  and 
Charity.  Therefore  the  works 
of  these  are  holy,  and  chaste, 
and  right. 

91  Whoever  therefore  shall 
serve  these,  and  hold  fast  to 
their   works,  he  shall  have   his 


dwelling  in  Lhe  tower  with  the 
saints  of  God. 

92  Then  I  asked  her  concern- 
ing the  times,  whether  the  end 
were  now  at  hand  ; 

93  But  she  cried  out  with  a 
loud  voice,  saying,  O  foolish  man  ! 
Dost  thou  not  see  the  tower  y<  1  ;i 
building  ?  When  therefore  the 
tower  shall  be  finished,  and  built, 
it  shall  have  an  end  ;  and  indeed 
it  shall  soon  be  accomplished. 

94  But  do  not  ask  me  any 
more  questions.  What  has  been 
said  may  suffice  thee  and  all  the 
saints  for  the  refreshment  of  your 
spirits.  For  these  things  have 
not  been  revealed  to  thee  only, 
but  that  thou  mayest  make  them 
manifest  unto  all. 

95  For  therefore,  O  Hermas, 
after  three  days  thou  must  un- 
derstand these  words  which  I  be- 
gin to  speak  unto  thee,  that  thou 
mayest  speak  them  in  the  ears  of 
the  saints  ;  that  when  they  shall 
have  heard  and  done  them,  they 
may  be  cleansed  from  their  ini- 
quities, and  thou  together  with 
them. 

96  Hear  me  therefore,  O  my 
sons !  I  have  bred  you  up  in 
much  simplicity,  and  innocency, 
and  modesty  for  the  love  of  God, 
which  has  dropped  down  upon 
you  in  righteousness,  that  you 
should  be  sanctified  and  justified 
from  all  sin  and  wickedness  ;  but 
ye  will  not  cease  from  your  evil 
doings. 

97  Now  therefore  hearken 
unto  me,  and  have  peace  one 
with  another,  and  visit  one  an- 
other, and  receive  one  another, 
and  do  not  enjoy  the  creatures  of 
God  alone. 

98  Give  freely  to  them  that  are 
in  need.  For  some  by  too  free 
feeding  contract  an  infirmity  in 
their  flesh,  and  do  injury  to  taeir 
bodies;  whilst  the  flesh  of  others, 

207 


and  of  several 


I.  HERMAS. 


sorts  of  reprobates. 


who  have  not  food,  withers  away, 
because  they  want  sufficient  nou- 
rishment, and  the  bodies  are  con- 
sumed. 

99  Wherefore  this  intemper- 
ance is  hurtful  to  you,  who  have, 
and  do  not  communicate  to  them 
that  want.  Prepare  for  the  judg- 
ment that  is  about  to  come  upon 
you. 

100  Ye  that  are  the  more  emi- 
nent, search  out  them  that  are 
hungry,  whilst  the  tower  is  yet 
unfinished.  For  when  the  tower 
shall  be  finished,  ye  shall  be  wil-  j 
ling  to  do  good,  and  shall  not  find 
any  place  in  it. 

101  Beware,  therefore,  ye  that 
glory  in  your  riches,  lest  perhaps 
they  groan  who  are  in  want,  and 
their  sighing  come  up  unto  God, 
and  ye  be  shut  out  with  your 
goods  without  the  gate  of  the 
tower. 

102  Behold  I  now  warn  you 
who  are  set  over  the  church,  and 
love  the  highest  seats,  be  not  ye 
like  unto  those  that  work  mischief. 

103  And  they  indeed  carry 
about  their  poison  in  boxes,  but 
ye  contain  your  poison  and  !  in- 
fection in  your  hearts,  and  will 
not  purge  them,  and  mix  your 
sense  with  a  pure  heart,  that  ye  | 
may  find  mercy  with  the  Great 
King. 

104  Take  heed,  my  children, 
that  your  dissensions  deprive  you  j 
not  of  your  lives.  How  will  ye 
instruct  the  elect  of  God,  when 
ye  yourselves  want  correction? 
Wherefore  admonish  one  an- 
other, and  be  at  peace  among 
yourselves,  that  I,  standing  be- 
fore your  father,  may  give  an 
account  for  you  unto  the  Lord. 

105  T[  And  when  she  had  made 
an  end  of  talking  with  me,  the 
six  young  men  that  built,  came 
and  carried  her  to  the  tower; 


and  four  others  took  up  the  seat 
on  which  she  sate,  and  they  also 
went  away  again  to  the  tower. 
I  saw  not  the  faces  of  these,  for 
their  backs  were  towards  me. 

106  As  she  was  going  away,  I 
asked  her,  that  she  would  reveal 
to  me  what  concerned  the  three 
forms,  in  which  she  had  appeared 
unto  me. 

107  But  she  answering  said 
unto  me,  concerning  these  things 
thou  must  ask  some  other,  that 
they  may  be  revealed  unto  thee. 

108  Now,  brethren,  in  the  first 
vision  the  last  year,  she  appeared 
unto  me  exceeding  old,  and  sit- 
ting in  a  chair. 

109  In  another  vision,  she  had 
indeed  a  youthful  face,  but  her 
flesh  and  hair  were  old ;  but  she 
talked  with  me  standing,  and  was 
more  cheerful  than  the  first  time. 

110  In  the  third  vision,  she 
was  in  all  respects  much  younger, 
and  comely  to  the  eye;  only  she 
had  the  hair  of  an  aged  person ; 
yet  she  looked  cheerful,  and  sate 
upon  a  seat. 

111  I  was  therefore  very  sad 
concerning  these  things,  until  I 
might  understand  the  vision. 

112  Wherefore  I  saw  the  same 
old  woman  in  a  vision  of  the 
night  saying  unto  me,  All  prayer 
needeth  humiliation.  Fast,  there- 
fore, and  thou  shalt  learn  from 
the  Lord  that  which  thou  dost 
ask.     I  fasted  therefore  one  day. 

113  The  same  night  a  young 
man  appeared  to  me  and  said, 
Why  dost  thou  thus  often  desire 
Revelations  in  thy  prayers  ? 
Take  heed  that  by  asking  many 
things,  thou  hurt  not  the  body. 
Let  these  Revelations  suffice  thee. 

114  Canst  thou  see  more  nota- 
ble Revelations  than  those  which 
thou  hast  already  received  ? 

115  I  answered  and  said  unto 


Medicaments. 


208 


it  xt 


®  @  ®  ©        6  & ®  *'  bft9 _^ v/ 

MARY  SUPPORTING   THE  DEAD  CHRIST  ON   HER  KNEES.  [Page  74. 

FROM   A    GREEK     PAINTING   IN    DISTEMPER    ON   WOOD:    TWELFTH    CENTURY. 


Of  several  sorts 


VISION  III. 


of  reprobates. 


him,  Sir,  I  only  ask  this  one  thing  j 
upon  the  account  of  the  three 
figures  of  the  old  woman  that  ap- 
peared to  me,  that  the  Revelation 
may  be  complete. 

116  He  answered  me,  You  are 
not  without  understanding,  but 
your  doubts  make  you  so ;  foras- 
much as  you  have  not  your  heart 
with  the  Lord. 

117  I  replied  and  said,  But  we 
shall  learn  these  things  more 
carefully  from  you. 

118  T[  Hear  then,  says  he,  con- 
cerning the  figures  about  which 
you  inquire. 

119  And  first,  in  the  first 
vision  she  appeared  to  thee  in 
the  shape  of  an  old  woman  sit- 
ting in  a  chair,  because  your  old 
spirit  was  decayed,  and  without 
strength,  by  reason  of  your  in- 
firmities, and  the  doubtfulness  of 
your  heart. 

120  For  as  they  who  are  old 
have  no  hope  of  renewing  them- 
selves, nor  expect  any  thing  but 
their  departure ;  so  you  being 
weakened  through  your  worldly 
affairs  gave  yourself  up  to  sloth, 
and  cast  not  away  your  solicitude 
from  yourself  upon  the  Lord  : 
and  your  sense  was  confused, 
1  and  you  grow  old  in  your  sadness. 

121  But,  sir*,  I  would  know 
why  she  sate  upon  a  chair  ? 

122  He  answered,  because 
every  one  that  is  weak  sitteth 
upon  a  chair  by  reason  of  his 
infirmity,  that  his  weakness  may 
be  upheld.  Behold  therefore 
the  figure  of  the  first  vision. 

123  In  the  second  vision  you 
saw  her  standing,  and  having  a 
youthful  face,  and  more  cheerful 
than  her  former ;  but  her  flesh 
and  her  hair  were  ancient.  Hear, 
said  he,  this  parable  also. 

124  When  any  one  grows  old, 
he  despairs  of  himself  by  reason 

broken,  Contusus. 

14 


of  his  infirmity  and  poverty,  and 
expects  nothing  but  the  Last  day 
of  his  life. 

125  But  on  a  sudden  an  inher- 
itance is  left  to  him,  and  he  bean 
of  it,  and  rises;  and  being  be- 
come cheerful,  he  puts  on  new 
strength.  And  he  now  no  longer 
sits  down,  but  stands,  and  is 
delivered  from  his  former  sorrow ; 
and  sits  not,  but  acts  manfully. 

126  So  you,  having  heard  the 
Revelation  which  God  revealed 
unto  you  because  God  had  com- 
passion upon  you,  and  renewed 
your  spirit,  both  laid  aside  your 
infirmities,  and  strength  came  to 
you,  and  you  grew  strong  in  the 
faith ;  and  God,  seeing  your 
strength,  rejoiced. 

127  For  this  cause  he  shewed 
you  the  building  of  the  tower, 
and  will  shew  other  things  unto 
you,  if  you  shall  have  peace  with 
all  your  heart  among  each  other. 

128  But  in  the  third  vision  you 
saw  her  yet  younger,2  fair  and 
cheerful,  and  of  a  serene  coun- 
tenance. 

129  For  as  if  some  good  news 
comes  to  him  that  is  sad,  he 
straightway  forgets  his  sadness, 
and  regards  nothing  else  but  the 
good  news  which  he  has  heard ; 
and  for  the  rest  he  is  comforted, 
and  his  spirit  is  renewed  through 
the  joy  which  he  has  received  : 
even  so  you  have  been  refreshed 
in  your  spirit  by  seeing  these 
good  things. 

130  And  for  that  you  saw  her 
sitting  upon  a  bench,  it  denotes 
a  strong  position  ;  because  a 
bench  has  four  feet  and  stands 
strongly.  And  even  the  world 
itself  is  upheld  by  the  four  ele- 
ments. 

131  They  therefore  that  repent 
I  perfectly,  shall  be  young  ;  and 
I  they  that  turn  from  their  dxu 

2  Honestam. 

209 


Of  the  tribulation 


I.  HERMAS. 


to  come. 


with  their  whole  heart,  shall  be 
established. 

132  And  now  you  have  the 
Revelation  fully,  ask  no  more  to  l 
have  any  thing  farther  revealed 
unto  you. 

133  But  if  any  thing  be  to  be 
revealed,  it  shall  be  made  mani- 
fest unto  you. 

VISION  IV. 

Of  the  tried  and  tribulation  that  is  about 
to  come  upon  men. 

I  SAW  a  vision,  brethren, 
twenty  days  after  the  former 
vision  ;  a  representation  of  the 
tribulation  that  is  at  hand.  I 
was  walking  in  the  field  way. 

2  Now  from  the  public  way 
to  the  place  whither  I  went  is 
about  ten  furlongs ;  it  is  a  way 
very  little  frequented : 

3  And  as  I  was  walking  alone 
I  entreated  the  Lord  that  he 
would  confirm  the  Revelations 
which  he  had  shewed  unto  me 
by  his  holy  Church  : 

4  And  would  grant  repent- 
ance to  all  his  servants  who  had 
been  offended,  that  his  great  and 
honourable  name  might  be  glori- 
fied, and  because  he  thought  me 
worthy  :  to  whom  he  might  shew 
his  wonders,  and,  that  I  might 
honour  him,  and  give  thanks 
unto  him. 

5  And  behold  somewhat  like 
a  voice  answered  me ;  Doubt 
Dot,  Hermas.  Wherefore  I  be- 
gan to  think,  and  say  within  my- 
self, why  should  I  doubt,  seeing 
I  am  thus  settled  by  the  Lord,  and 
have  seen  such  glorious  things  ? 

6  I  had  gone  but  a  little  far- 
ther, brethren,  when  behold  I 
eaw  a  dust  rise  up  to  heaven.  I 
began  to  say  within  myself,  is 
there  a  drove  of  cattle  coming, 
that  raises  such  a  dust  ? 


7  It  was  about  a  furlong  off 
from  me.  And  behold  I  saw  the 
dust  rise  more  and  more,  inso- 
much that  I  began  to  suspect 
that  there  was  2  somewhat  extra- 
ordinary in  it. 

8  And  the  sun  shone  a  little  : 
and  behold  I  saw  a  great  beast,  as 
it  were  a  whale  ;  and  fiery  lo- 
custs came  out  of  his  mouth.  The 
height  of  the  beast  was  about  a 
hundred  feet,  and  he  had  a  head 
like  a  3  large  earthen  vessel. 

9  I  began  to  weep,  and  to  pray 
unto  the  Lord  that  he  would  de- 
liver me  from  it.  Then  I  called 
to  mind  the  word  which  I  had 
heard  ;  Doubt  not,  Hermas. 

10  Wherefore,  brethren,  put- 
ting on  a  divine  faith,  and  remem- 
bering who  it  was  that  had  taught 
me  great  things,  I  delivered  my- 
self bodily  unto  the  beast. 

11  Now  the  beast  came  on  in 
such  a  manner,  as  if  it  could  4at 
once  have  devoured  a  city. 

12  I  came  near  unto  it,  and 
the  beast  extended  its  whole  bulk 
upon  the  ground,  and  put  forth 
nothing  but  its  tongue,  nor  once 
moved  itself  till  I  had  quite 
passed  by  it. 

1 3  Now  the  beast  had  upon  its 
head  four  colours  ;  first  black, 
then  a  red  and  bloody  colour, 
then  a  golden,  and  then  a  white. 

14  ^|  After  that  I  had  passed 
by  it,  and  was  gone  forward 
about  thirty  feet,  behold  there 
met  me  a  certain  virgin,  well 
adorned  as  if  she  had  been  just 
come  out  of  her  bride  chamber, 
all  in  white,  having  on  white 
shoes,  and  a  veil  down  her  face, 
and  covered  with   shining  hair. 

15  Now  I  knew  by  my  former 
visions  that  it  was  the  church, 
and  thereupon  grew  the  more 
cheerful.  She  saluted  me  saying, 


[  That  he  would  shew  me.      2  Aliquid  divinitus. 
210 


3  Vas.  urnale.     *  In  ictu. 


Of  the  tribulation 


VISION  IV. 


to  come 


Hail,  0  Man!    I  returned  the 
salutation,  saying,  Lady,  Hail ! 

16  She  answering  said  unto 
me,  Did  nothing  meet  you,  O 
man  ?  I  replied,  Lady,  there  met 
me  such  a  beast,  as  seemed  able 
to  devour  a  whole  people  ;  but  by 
the  power  of  God,  and  through 
his  singular  mercy,  I  escaped  it. 

17  Thou  didst  escape  it  well, 
said  she,  because  thou  didst  cast 
thy  whole  care  upon  God,  and 
opened  thy  heart  unto  him,  be- 
lie viug  that  thou  couldst  be  safe 
by  no  other  than  by  his  great 
and  honourable  name. 

18  For  this  cause  the  Lord 
sent  his  angel,  who  is  over  the 
beast,  whose  name  is  Hegrin,  and 
stopped  his  mouth,  that  he  should 
not  devour  thee.  Thou  hast 
escaped  a  great  trial  through  thy 
faith,  and  because  thou  didst  not 
doubt  for  such  a  terrible  beast. 

19  Go  therefore,  and  relate  to 
the  elect  of  God  the  great  things 
that  he  hath  done  for  thee.  And 
thou  shalt  say  unto  them,  that 
this  beast  is  the  figure  of  the 
trial  that  is  about  to  come. 

20  If  therefore,  ye  shall  have 
prepared  yourselves,  ye  may  es- 
cape it,  if  your  heart  be  pure 
and  without  spot ;  and  if  ye  shall 
serve  God  all  the  rest  of  your 
days  without  complaint. 

21  Cast  all  your  cares  upon 
the  Lord,  and  he  will  direct 
them.  Believe  in  God,  ye  doubt- 
ful, because  he  can  do  all  things ; 
he  can  both  turn  away  his  wrath 
from  you,  and  send  you  help  and 
security. 

22  Wo  to  the  doubtful,  to 
those  who  shall  hear  these  words, 
and  shall  despise  them :  it  had 
been  better  for  them  that  they 
had  not  been  born. 

23  T[  Then  I  asked  her  con- 


cerning the  four  colours  which 
the  beast  had  upon  its  head.  But 
she  answered  me  saying  ;  Again 
thou  art  curious  in  that  thou 
asketh  concerning  these  things. 
But  I  said  to  her,  Lady,  sh<  w 
me  what  they  are. 

24  Hear,  said  she;  The  black 
which  thou  sawest  denotes  the 
world  in  which  you  dwell.  The 
fiery  and  bloody  colour  signifies 
that  this  age  must  be  destroyed 
by  fire  and  blood. 

25  The  golden  part  are  ye, 
who  have  escaped  out  of  it.  For 
as  gold  is  tried  by  the  fire,  and  is 
made  profitable,  so  are  ye  also  in 
like  manner  tried  who  dwell 
among  the  men  of  this  world. 

26  They  therefore,  that  shall 
endure  to  the  end,  and  be  proved 
by  them  shall  be  purged.  And 
as  gold,  by  this  trial,  is  cleansed 
and  loses  its  dross,  so  shall  ye 
also  cast  away  all  sorrow  and 
trouble,  and  be  made  pure  for 
the  building  of  the  tower. 

27  But  the  white  colour  de- 
notes the  time  of  the  world  which 
is  to  come,  in  which  the  elect  of 
God  shall  dwell :  because  the 
elect  of  God  shall  be  pure  and 
without  spot  until   life   eternal. 

28  Wherefore  do  not  thou 
cease  to  speak  these  things  in 
the  ears  of  the  saints.  Here  ye 
have  the  figure  of  the  great  tri- 
bulation that  is  about  to  come; 
which,  if  you  please  shall  be 
nothing  to  you.  Keep  therefore 
in  mind  the  things  that  I  have 
said  unto  you. 

29  When  she  had  spoken  thus 
much,  she  departed  ;  but  I  saw 
not  whither  she  went.  But  sud- 
denly I  heard  a  noise,  and  \ 
turned  back,  being  afraid,  fir  I 
thought  that  the  beast  was  com- 
ing toward  me. 


211 


The  Second  Book  of  HERMAS,  called  his  COMMANDS. 


Introduction. 

WHEN  I  had  prayed  at 
home,  and  was  sat  down 
upon  the  bed,  a  certain  man 
came  in  to  me  with  a  reverend 
look,  in  the  habit  of  a  shepherd, 
clothed  with  a  white  cloak,  having 
his  bag  upon  his  back,  and  his 
staff  in  his  hand,  and  saluted  me. 

2  I  returned  his  salutation, 
and  immediately  he  sat  down  by 
me,  and  said  unto  me,  I  am  sent 
by  that  venerable  messenger,  that 
I  should  dwell  with  thee  all  the 
remaining  days  of  thy  life. 

3  But  I  thought  that  he  was 
come  to  try  me,  and  said  unto 
him,  Who  are  you  ?  For  I  know 
to  whom  I  am  committed.  He 
said  unto  me,  Do  you  not  know 
me?  I  answered  no.  I  am,  said 
he,  that  shepherd  to  whose  care 
you  are  delivered. 

4  Whilst  he  was  yet  speaking, 
his  shape  was  changed ;  and 
when  I  knew  that  it  was  he  to 
whom  I  was  committed,  I  was 
ashamed,  and  a  sudden  fear  came 
upon  me,  and  I  was  utterly  over- 
come with  sadness,  because  I  had 
spoken  so  foolishly  unto  him. 

5  But  he  said  unto  me,  Be 
not  ashamed, but  receive  strength 
in  thy  mind,  through  the  com- 
mands which  I  am  about  to  de- 
liver unto  thee.  For,  said  he,  I 
am  sent  to  shew  unto  thee  all 
those  things  again,  which  thou 
hast  seen  before,  but  especially 
such  of  them  as  may  be  of  most 
use  unto  thee. 

6  And  first  of  all  write  my 
Commands  and  Similitudes,  the 
rest  thou  shalt  so  write  as  I  shall 


shew  unto  thee.  But  I  therefore 
bid  thee  first  of  all  write  my 
Commands  and  Similitudes,  that 
by  often  reading  of  them  thou 
mayest  the  more  easily  xkeep 
them  in  memory. 

7  Whereupon  I  wrote  his 
Commands  and  Similitudes,  as 
he  bade  me. 

8  Which  things  if  when  you 
have  heard,  ye  shall  observe  to 
do  them,  and  shall  walk  accord- 
ing to  them,  and  exercise  your- 
selves in  them  with  a  pure  mind, 
ye.  shall  receive  from  the  Lord 
those  things  which  he  has  pro- 
mised unto  you. 

9  But  if  having  heard  them 
ye  shall  not  repent,  but  shall 
still  go  on  to  add  to  your  sins, 
2  ye  shall  be  punished  by  him. 

10  All  these  things  that  Shep- 
herd, the  angel  of  repentance, 
commanded  me  to  write. 

COMMAND  I. 

Of  s  believing  in  one  God. 

FIRST  of  4all  believe  that 
there  is  one  God  who  crea- 
ted and  framed  all  things  of 
nothing  into  a  being. 

2  He  comprehends  all  things, 
and  is  only  immense,  not  to  be 
comprehended  by  any. 

3  Who  can  neither  be  defined 
by  any  words,  nor  conceived  by 
the  mind. 

4  Therefore  believe  in  him, 
and  fear  him  ;  and  fearing  him 
5  abstain  from  all  evil. 

5  Keep  these  things,  and  cast 
all  6lust  and  iniquity  far  from 
thee,  and  put  on  righteousness, 
and  thou  shalt  live  to  God,  if 
thou  shalt  keep  this  command- 
ment. 


1  Observe  them,  Custodite  possiss.  Lat.  2  Adversa  recipietis.  3  Faith. 
*  Irena>us  1.  1,  c.  3.  Origen,  de  Princ-  1.  1,  c  3.  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccles.  1.  5,  c. 
8.  Athanas.  de  Incarn.  Verb.  &c.  5  Habe  abstinentiam.  6  Omnem.  concu- 
piscentiam.     MSS.  Lamb,  et  Oxon. 

212 


Against  detraction 


COMMAND  III. 


and  lying. 


COMMAND  II. 

That  we  must  avoid  detraction,  and  do 
our  alms-deeds  with  simplicity. 

HE  said  unto  me,  x  Be  inno- 
cent and  without  disguise ; 
so  shalt  thou  be  like  an  infant 
who  knows  no  malice  which  de- 
stroys the  life  of  man. 

2  Especially  see  that  thou 
speak  evil  of  none,  nor  willingly 
hear  any  one  speak  evil  of  any. 

3  2  For  if  thou  observest  not 
this,  thou  also  who  hearest  shalt 
be  3  partaker  of  the  sin  of  him 
that  speaketh  evil,  by  believing 
the  slander,  and  thou  also  shalt 
have  sin,  because  thou  believed- 
est  him  that  spoke  evil  of  thy 
brother. 

4  i  Detraction  is  a  pernicious 
thing ;  an  inconstant, 6  evil  spirit ; 
that  never  continues  in  peace,  but 
is  always  in  discord.  6Wherefore 
refrain  thyself  from  it,  and  keep 
peace  ever  more  with  thy  brother. 

5  Put  on  an  holy  'constancy, 
8  in  which  there  are  no  sins,  but 
all  is  full  of  joy ;  and  do  good 
of  thy  labours. 

6  9  Give  10  without  distinction 
to  all  that  are  in  want,  not 
doubting  to  whom  thou  givest. 

7  But  give  to  all,  for  God  will 
have  us  give  to  all,  of  u  all  his 
own  gifts.  They  therefore  that 
receive  shall  give  an  account  to 
God,  both  wherefore  they  re- 
ceived and  for  what  end. 

8  And  they  that  receive  with- 
out a  real  need,  shall  give  an 
account  for  it ;  but  he  that  gives 
shall  be  innocent. 


9  For  he  has  fulfilled  hia  duty 
as  he  received  it  from  God ;  not 
making  any  choice  to  whom  he 
should  give,  and  to  whom  not. 
And  this  service  he  did  with 
simplicity  and  12  to  the  glory  of 
God. 

10  Keep  therefore  this  com- 
mand according  as  I  have  deli- 
vered it  unto  thee ;  that  thy  re- 
pentance may  be  found  to  be  sin- 
cere, and  that  good  may  come  to 
thy  house ;  and  have  a  pure  heart. 

COMMAND  III. 

Of  avoiding  lying,  and  the  repentance 
of  Hernias  for  his  dissimulation- 

MOREOVER  »  he  said  unto 
me,  love  truth ;  and  let  all 
the  speech  be  true  which  pro- 
ceeds out  of  thy  mouth. 

2  That  the  spirit  which  the 
Lord  hath  given  to  dwell  in  thy 
flesh  may  be  found  true  towards 
all  men  ;  and  the  Lord  be  glori- 
fied, who  hath  given  such  a  spirit 
unto  thee :  because  God  is  true 
in  all  his  words,  and  in  him 
there  is  no  lie. 

3  They  therefore  that  lie,  deny 
the  Lord,  M  and  become  robbers 
of  the  Lord,  15  not  rendering  to 
God  what  they  received  from 
him. 

4  For  they  received  the  spirit 
free  from  lying:  If  therefore 
they  make  that  a  liar,  they  defile 
what  was  committed  to  them  by 
the  Lord,  and  become  deceivers. 

5  When  I  heard  this,  I  wept 
bitterly;  and  when  he  saw  me 
weeping,  he  said  unto  me,  Why 

1  Lat.  Have  simplicity  and  be  innocent.  2  Gr.  'Ei  6e  firj,  nai  cv  anovwv 
evoxoc  ean.  3So  theGr.  and  Lamb.  MS.  Particeps  eris  peccati  male  loquentiB, 
credens:'tu  habebis  peccatum.  *  Vid.  Antioch.  Horn.  xxix.  5  Daemon. 
6  The  Greek  hath  ow.  7  Kather  Simplicity;  according  to  the  Greek  reading, 
preserved  by  Athanasius.  8  Gr.  in  which  there  is  no  evil  offence,  but  all 
things  smooth  and  delightful,  ev  oi.q  ovdevnpnaito/iua  cart  wovrfpov,  <i/.'/.a  navra 
ofiala  K.y  llapa.  9  Vid.  Antioch.  Horn,  xcviii.  10  Simply.  u  G.  «  ruv  tSiuv 
doprjuaruv.  MS.  Lamb,  de  suis  dodis.  u  Gloriously  to  God.  u  Antioch. 
Horn.  Ixvi.  "  According  to  the  Gr.  «  See  III.  Hennas  Simil.  ix.  v.  208 
et  seq. 


213 


Oj  putting  away 


II.  HERMAS. 


a  wife  for  adultery. 


weepest  thou  ?  And  I  said,  Be- 
cause, sir,  I  doubt  whether  I  can 
be  saved  ? 

6  He  asked  me,  Wherefore? 
I  replied,  because  sir,  I  never 
spake  a  true  word  in  iny  life;  but 
always  lived  in  dissimulation, 
and  affirmed  a  lie  for  truth  to  all 
men ;  and  no  man  contradicted 
me,  but  all  gave  credit  to  my 
words.  How  then  can  I  live, 
seeing  I  have  done  in  this  man- 
ner? 

7  And  he  said  unto  me,  Thou 
thinkest  well  and  truly.  For  thou 
oughtest,  as  the  servant  of  God, 
to  have  walked  in  the  truth,  and 
not  have  joined  an  evil  conscience 
with  the  spirit  of  truth,  nor  have 
grieved  the  holy  and  true  Spirit 
of  God. 

8  And  I  replied  unto  him,  sir, 
I  never  before  hearkened  so  dili- 
gently to  these  things.  He  an- 
swered, Xovv  thou  hearest  them : 
Take  care  from  henceforth,  that 
even  those  things  which  thou  hast 
formerly  spoken  falsely  for  the 
sake  of  thy  business,  may, l  by 
thy  present  truth  receive  credit. 

9  For  even  those  things  may 
be  credited,  if  for  the  time  to 
come  thou  shalt  speak  the  truth ; 
and 2  by  so  doing  thou  mayest 
attain  unto  life. 

10  And  whosoever  shall  heark- 
en unto  this  command,  and  do  it, 
and  shall  depart  from  all  lying, 
he  shall  live  unto  God. 

COMM  \ND  IV. 

Of  pnftinq  away  one's  ivife  for  adultery. 

FURTHERMORE,  said  he,  I 
command  thee,  that  thou  j 
keep  3  thyself  chaste  ;  and  that 
thou  suffer  not  any  thought  of  j 
any  other  marriage,  or  of  forni-  ; 
cation,  to  enter  into  thy  heart  :  j 
for  such  a  thought  produces! 
great  sin. 


2  But  be  thou  at  all  times 
mindful  of  the  Lord,  and  thou 
shalt  never  sin.  For  if  such  an 
evil  thought  should  arise  in  thy 
heart,  thou  shouldest  be  guilty 
of  a  great  sin  ;  and  they  who  do 
such  things  follow  the  way  of 
death. 

3  Look  therefore  to  thyself, 
1  and  keep  thyself  from  such  a 
,  thought ;  for  where  chastity  re- 
mains in  the  heart  of  a  righteous 

|  man,  there  an  evil  thought  ought 
I  never  to  arise. 

4  And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir, 
suffer  me  to  speak  a  little  to  you. 
He  bade  me  say  on.  And  I  an- 
swered, Sir,  if  a  man  that  is  faith- 
ful in  the  Lord  shall  have  a  wife, 
and  shall  catch  her  in  adultery ; 
doth  a  man  sin  that  continues  to 
live  still  with  her  ? 

5  And  he  said  unto  me,  As 
long  as  he  is  ignorant  of  her  sin, 
he  commits  no  fault  in  living 
with  her ;  but  if  a  man  shall 
know  his  wife  to  have  offended, 
and  she  shall  not  repent  of  her 
sin,  but  go  on  still  in  her  forni- 
cation, and  a  man  shall  continue 
nevertheless  to  live  with  her,  he 
shall  become  guilty  of  her  sin, 
and  partake  with  her  in  her 
adultery. 

6  And  I  said  unto  him,  What 
therefore  is  to  be  done,  if  the  wo- 
man continues  on  in  her  sin? 
He  answered,  Let  her  husband 
put  her  away,  and  let  him  con- 
tinue by  himself.  But  if  he  shall 
put  away  his  wife,  and  marry 
another  *  he  also  doth  commit 
adultery. 

7  And  I  said,  What  if  the  wo- 
man that  is  so  put  away,  shall 
repent,  and  be  willing  to  return 
to  her  husband,  shall  she  not  be 
received  by  him  ?  He  said  unto 
me,  Yes  :    and   if  her   husband 


1  Through  these  words.  Lat.  His  verbis  et  ilia  fidera  recipiant. 
ilt  keep  the  truth.       3  Chastity.       4  Another  man  s. 
214 


If  thou 


Of  putting  away 


COMMAND  IV. 


a  wife  for  adultery 


shall  not  receive  her,  he  will  sin, 
and  commit  a  great  offence 
against  himself;  but  he  ought  to 
receive  the  offender,  if  she  re- 
pents ;  only  not  often. 

8  For  to  the  servants  of  God 
there  is  but  one  repentance.  And 
for  this  cause  a  man  that  putteth 
away  his  wife  ought  not  to  take 
auother,  because  she  may  repent. 

9  This  act  is  alike  both  in  the 
man  and  in  the  woman.  Now 
they  commit  adultery,  not  only 
who  pollute  their  flesh,  but  who 
also  make  an  image.  1  If  there- 
fore a  woman  perseveres  in  any 
thing  of  this  kind,  and  repents 
not,  depart  from  her,  and  live 
not  with  her,  otherwise  thou  also 
shalt  be  partaker  of  her  sin. 

10  But  it  is  therefore  com- 
manded that  both  the  man  and 
the  woman  should  remain  un- 
married because  such  persons 
may  repent. 

11  Nor  do  I  in  this  administer 
any  occasion  for  the  doing  of 
these  things ;  but  rather  that 
whoso  has  offended,  should  not 
offend  any  more. 

12  But  for  their  former  sins, 
God  who  has  the  power  of  heal- 
ing will  give  a  remedy  ;  for  he 
has  the  power  of  all  things. 

13  ^[  I  asked  him  again  and 
said,  Seeing  the  Lord  hath 
thought  me  worthy  that  thou 
shouldest  dwell  with  me  contin- 
ually, speak  a  few  words  unto 
me,  because  I  understand  nothing, 
and  my  heart  is  hardened  through 
my  former  conversation  ;  and 
open  my  *  understanding  because 
I  am  very  dull,  and  apprehend 
nothing  at  all. 

14  And  he  answering  said  unto 
me,  I  am  the 3  minister  of  repen- 


to  all  that  repent.  Does  it  not 
seem  to  thee  to  be 5  a  verv  wise 
thing  to  repent?  Because  be 
that  does  so  gets  great  under- 
standing. 

15  For  he  is  sensible  that  he 
hath  sinned  and  done  wickedly 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  he 
remembers 6  within  himself  that 
he  has  offended,  and  repents  and 
does  no  more  wickedly,  but  does 
that  which  is  good,  and  humbles 
his  soul  and  afflicts  it,  because 
he  has  offended.  You  see  there- 
fore that  repentance  is  great 
wisdom. 

16  And  I  said  unto  him,  For 
this  cause,  sir,  I  inquire  dili- 
gently into  all  things,  because  I 
am  a  sinner,  that  I  may  know 
what  I  must  do  that  I  may  live; 
because  my  sins  are  many. 

17  And  he  said  unto  me,  Thou 
shalt  live  if  thou  shalt  keep  these 
my  commandments.  And  whoso- 
ever shall  hear  and  do  these  com- 
mands shall  live  unto  God. 

18  Tf  And  I  said  unto  him,  I 
have  even  now  heard  from  certain 
teachers,  that  there  is  no  other 
repentance  beside  that  of  bap- 
tism ;  when  we  go  down  into  the 
water,  and  receive  the  forgiveness 
of  our  sins  ;  and  that  after  that, 
we  must  sin  no  more,  but  live  in 
7  purity. 

19  And  he  said  unto  me,  Thou 
has  been  8  rightly  informed. 
Nevertheless  seeing  now  thou 
inquirest  diligently  into  all 
things,  I  will  manifest  this  also 
unto  thee:  yet  not  so  as  to  give 
any  occasion  of  sinning  either 
to  those  who  shall  hereafter  be- 
lieve, or  to  those  who  have  al- 
ready believed  in  the  Lord. 

20  For  neither  they  who  have 


tance,  and  give  4  understanding  1 9  newly  believed,   or  who  shall 

1  See  1  Cor.  vii.  15.  2  Sense.  3  Proepositua.  *  See  below,  v.  18  et  seq. 
5  Great  wisdom.  6  In  his  understanding.  'Chastity.  'Rigrhtlj  heard. 
9 MS.  Lamb.      Qui   modo   crediderunt,    Who  have  just   now   Relieved. 

2J5 


continued. 


II.  HERMAS. 


Of  sadness  of  heart. 


hereafter  believe,  have  any  re- 
pentance of  sins,  but  forgiveness 
of  them. 

21  But  as  to  those  who  have 
been  called  to  the  faith,  and  since 
that  are  fallen  into  any  gross  sin, 
the  Lord  hath  appointed  repent- 
ance, because  God  knoweth  the 
thoughts  of  all  men's  hearts,  and 
their  infirmities,  and  the  mani- 
fold wickedness  of  the  devil,  who 
is  always  contriving  something 
against  the  servants  of  God,  and 
maliciously  lays  snares  for  them. 

22  Therefore  our  merciful 
Lord  had  compassion  towards 
his  creature,  and  appointed  that 
repentance,  and  gave  unto  me 
the  power  of  it.  And  therefore 
I  say  unto  thee,  if  any  one  after 
that  great  and  holy  calling  shall 
be  tempted  by  the  devil  and  sin, 
he  has  one  1  repentance.  But  if 
he  shall  often  sin  and  repent  it 
shall  not  profit  such  a  one ;  for 
he  shall  hardly  live  unto  God. 

23  And  I  said,  Sir,  I  am  re- 
stored again  to  life  since  I  have 
thus  diligently  hearkened  to  these 
commands.  For  I  perceive  that 
if  I  shall  not  hereafter  add  any 
more  to  my  sins,  I  shall  be  saved. 

24  And  he  said,  Thou  shalt 
be  saved :  and  so  shall  all  others, 
as  many  as  shall  observe  these 
commandments. 

25  ^[  And  again  I  said  unto 
him,  Sir,  seeing  thou  hearest  me 
patiently  shew  me  yet  one  thing 
more.  Tell  me,  saith  he,  what  it  is. 

26  And  I  said,  If  a  husband 
or  a  wife  die,  and  the  party 
which  survives  marry  again,  does 
he  sin  in  so  doing  ?     2  He  that 


marries  says  he,  sins  not :  how- 
beit,  if  he  shall  remain  single, 
he  shall  thereby  gain  to  himself 
great  honour  before  the  Lord. 

27  Keep  therefore  thy  chastity 
and  modesty,  and  thou  shalt  live 
unto  God.  Observe  from  hence- 
forth those  things  which  I  speak 
with  thee,  and  command  thee  to 
observe,  from  the  time  3  that  I 
have  been  delivered  unto  thee, 
and  dwell  in  thy  house. 

28  So  shall  thy  former  sins  be 
forgiven,  if  thou  shalt  keep  these 
my  commandments.  And  in  like 
manner  shall  all  others  be  for- 
given, who  shall  observe  these 
my  commandments. 

COMMAND  V. 

Of  the  sadness  of  the  heart,   and  of 
patience. 

BE  patient,  says  he,  and  *  long- 
suffering  ;  so  shalt  thou 
have  dominion  over  all  wicked 
works,  and  shalt 5  fulfil  all  right- 
eousness. 

2  For  if  thou  shalt  be  patient, 
the  Holy  Spirit  which  dwelleth 
in  thee  shall  be  pure,  and  not  be 
darkened  by  any  evil  spirit;  but 
being  full  of  joy  shall  be  en- 
larged, and  feast  6  in  the  body  in 
which  it  dwells,  and  7  serve  the 
Lord  with  joy,  and  in  great  peace. 

3  But  if  any  8  anger  shall 
overtake  thee,  presently  the  Holy 
Spirit  which  is  in  thee  will  be 
straightened  and  seek  to  depart 
from  thee. 

4  For  he  is  choked  by  the  evil 
spirit,  and  has  not  the  9 liberty  of 
10  serving  the  Lord  as  he  would  ; 
for   he   is   grieved   by   u  anger. 


1  Vid.  Annot.  Coteler.  in  loc.  pp.  60,  61.  2  Vid.  not.  Coteler.  in  loc.  p. 
64  B.C.  Bom.  vii.  3.  Comp.  1  Cor.  vii.  3SM.  Lamb,  medius  ;  Ex  quo 
mihi  traditus  es,  That  thou  hast  been  delivered  unto  me,  and  I  dwell,  etc. 
4  Gr  Manpodvfioc.     MS.  Lara.  Animsequus.  5  Work.  6SM. 

Lamb,   melius,  Cum.  vase.  Et  Gr.  fiera  mv  mavnvc,  with  the  body  or  vessel. 
7  Gr.  AeiTovpyet  tu  Kvpia.  8  Ofujo/Ua,  Gr.  Bitterness   of  gall.  9  Place. 

10  Gr.  ' AetToopyT/aat.  n  'Qt-vxohia. 

216 


B&sir 


THE   INTERMENT  OF  CHRIST. 
FROM    A    FRESCO    BY   CIMABUE,   THIRTEENTH    CENTURY. 


Of  sadness  of  heart, 


COMMAND  V. 


and  ofpati 


1  When,  therefore,  both  these 
spirits  dwell  together,  it  is  de- 
structive to  a  mau. 

5  As  if  one  should  take  a  little 
■wormwood,  and  put  it  into  a  ves- 
sel of  honey,  the  whole  honey- 
would  be  spoiled  ;  and  a  great 
quantity  of  honey  is  corrupted  by 
a  very  little  wormwood,  and  loses 
the  sweetness  of  honey,  and  is 
no  longer  acceptable  to  its  Lord 
because  the  whole  honey  is  made 
bitter,  and  loses  its  use. 

6  But  if  no  wormwood  be  put 
into  the  honey,  it  is  sweet  and 
profitable  to  its  Lord.  Thus  is 
forbearance  sweeter  than  honey, 
and  profitable  to  the  Lord  who 
dwelleth  in  it. 

7  But  anger  is  unprofitable. 
If  therefore  anger  shall  be  mixed 
with  forbearance,  the  soul  is  dis- 
tressed, and  its  prayer  is  not 
profitable  2  with  God. 

8  And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  I 
would  know  the  sinfulness  of 
anger,  that  I  may  keep  myself 
from  it.  And  he  said  unto  me, 
Thou  shalt  know  it ;  and  if  thou 
shalt  not  keep  thyself  from  it, 
thou  shalt  lose  thy  hope  with  all 
thy  house.  "Wherefore  depart 
from  it. 

9  For  I  the  3  messenger  of 
righteousness  am  with  thee ;  and 
all  that  depart  from  it,  as  many 
as  shall  repent  with  all  their 
hearts,  shall  live  unto  God ;  and 
I  will  be  with  them,  and  will 
keep  them  all. 

10  For  all  such  as  have  re- 
pented have  been  justified  by  the 
most  holy  messenger,  who  is  a 
minister  of  salvation. 

11  *[[  And  now,  says  he,  hear 


the  wickedness  of  anger ;  how- 
evil  and  hurtful  it  is,  and  how  it 
overthrows  the  servants  of  God  ; 
for  it  cannot  *  hurt  those  that  are 
fall  of  faith  because  the  5  power 
of  God  is  with  them ;  but  it 
overthrows  the  doubtful,  and 
those  that  are  destitute  of  faith. 

12  For  as  often  as  it  sees  6  such 
men,  it  casts  itself  into  their 
hearts;  and  so  a  man  or  woman 
is  in  bitterness  for  nothing,  for 
the  things  of  life,  or  for  suste- 
nance, or  for  a  vain  word,  if  any 
should  chance  to  fall  in  ;  or  by 
reason  of  any  friend,  or  for  a 
debt,  or  for  any  other  superflu- 
ous things  of  the  like  nature. 

13  For  these  things  are  foolish, 
and  superfluous,  and  vain  to  the 
servants  of  God.  But  equanimity- 
is  strong,  and  forcible ;  and  of 
great  power,  and  sitteth  in  great 
enlargement;  is  cheerful,  rejoic- 
ing in  peace;  and  glorifying  God 
at  all  times  T  with  meekness. 

14  And  this  long-suffering 
dwells  with  those  that  are  full  of 
faith.  But  anger  is  foolish,  and 
light,  and  empty.  Now  bitter- 
ness is  bred  through  folly  ;  by 
bitterness,  anger;  by  anger,  fury. 
And  this  fury  arising  from  so 
many  evil  principles,  worketh  a 
great  and  incurable  sin. 

15  For  when  all  these  things 
are  in  the  same  8  man  in  which 
the  Holy  Spirit  dwells,  the  ves- 
sel cannot  contain  them,  but  runs 
over :  and  because  the  Spirit  be- 
ing tender  cannot  tarry  with  the 
evil  one  ;  it  departs  and  dwells 
with  him  that  is  meek. 

16  When,  therefore,  it  is  de- 
parted from  the  man  in  whom  it 


1  Both  Athanasius  and  Antiochus  add  these  words,  omitted  in  our  copies  : 
-  For  in  forbearance  (or  long  suffering)  the  Lord  dwelleth,  but  ra  bitterness 
the  Devil."  2  To.  3  Angel.  *  Gr.  work  upon  «W«  ;  et  MS.  Lamb. 
facere  5  Virtue  6  Gr  Toiovrmig  avdpu-ovr.  1 In  the  Greek  of  Atnana- 
niusand  Antiochus  the  sense  is  fuller:  Having  nothing  of  bitterness  in 
itself,  and  continuing  always  in  meekness  and  quietness.        \  easel. 

217 


Every  man 


II.  HERMAS. 


has  two  angels. 


dwelt ;  that  man  becomes  desti- 
tute of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  is 
afterwards  filled  with  wicked 
spirits,1  and  is  blinded  with  evil 
thoughts.  Thus  doth  it  happen 
to  all  angry  men. 

17  Wherefore  depart  thou 
from  anger  and  put  on  equani- 
mity, and  resist  wrath  ;  so  thou 
shalt  be  2  found  with  modesty 
and  chastity  by  God.  Take  good 
heed  therefore  that  thou  neglect 
not  this  commandment. 

18  For  if  thou  shalt  obey  this 
command,  then  shalt  thou  also 
be  able  to  observe  the  other 
commandments,  which  I  shall 
command  thee. 

19  Wherefore  strengthen  thy- 
self now  in  these  commands,  that 
thou  mayest  live  unto  God. 
And  whosoever  shall  observe 
these  commandments  shall  live 
unto  God. 

COMMAND  IV. 

That  every  man  has    two  3  angels,  and 
of  the  suggestions  of  both. 

I  COMMANDED  thee,  said 
he,  in  my  first  command- 
ments, that  thou  shouldst  keep 
faith  and  fear,  and  *  repentance. 
Yes,  Sir,  said  I. 

2  He  continued  :  But  now  I 
will  shew  thee  the  virtues  of 
these  commands,  that  thou  may- 
est know  their  effects  ;  how  they 
are  5  prescribed  alike  to  the  just 
and  unjust. 

3  Do  thou  therefore  believe  the 
righteous,  but  give  no  credit  to 
the  unrighteous.    For  righteous- 

*In  the  Greek  of  Athanasius  follow  these  -words,  omitted  in  the  Lat.  Vers, 
of  Hermas  :  ''  And  is  unstable  in  all  his  doings,  being  drawn  hither  and 
thither  by  wicked  men."  2  In  the  Greek  of  Athanasius  it  runs  better  thus, 
"  Applauded  with  reverence  by  those  who  are  beloved  of  God."  3  Vid. 
Coteler.  Annot.  in  loc.  pp.  67,  68.  Comp.  Edit.  Oxon.  p.  61,  Note  a.  4Lat. 
Poenitentiam  ;  it  should  rather  be  Abstinentiam  ;  as  in  the  Greek  of  Athana- 
sius: as  appears  by  the  first  Commandment,  which  is  here  referred  to. 
5  Place,  Lat.  Posita  sunt.  6  Vid.  Antioch.  Horn.  lxi.  Comp.  Orig.  1.  iii. 
De  Princip.  et  in  Luc.  Horn.  xxxv. 
218 


ness  keepeth  the  right  way,  but 
unrighteousness  the  wicked  way. 

4  Do  thou  therefore  keep  the 
right  way,  and  leave  that  which 
is  evil.  For  the  evil  way  has 
not  a  good  end,  but  hath  many 
stumbling-blocks  ;  it  is  rugged 
and  full  of  thorns,  and  leads  to 
destruction  ;  and  it  is  hurtful  to 
all  such  as  walk  in  it. 

5  But  they  who  go  in  the 
right  way,  walk  with  evenness, 
and  without  offence  ;  because  it 
is  not  rough  nor  thorny. 

6  Thou  seest  therefore  how  it 
is  best  to  walk  in  this  way. 
Thou  shalt  therefore  go,  says  he, 
and  all  others,  as  many  as  be- 
lieve in  God  with  all  their  heart, 
shall  go  through  it. 

7  T[  And  now,  says  he ;  6  un- 
derstand first  of  all  what  be- 
longs to  faith.  There  are  two 
angels  with  man  ;  one  of  right- 
eousness, the  other  of  iniquity. 

8  And  I  said  unto  him :  Sir, 
how  shall  I  know  that  there  are 
two  such  angels  with  man?  Hear 
says  he,  and  understand. 

9  The  angel  of  righteousness, 
is  mild  and  modest,  and  gentle, 
and  quiet.  When  therefore,  he 
gets  into  thy  heart,  immediately 
he  talks  with  thee  of  righteous- 
ness, of  modesty,  of  chastity,  of 
bountifulness,  of  forgiveness,  of 
charity,  and  piety. 

10  When  all  these  things  come 
into  thy  heart,  know  then  that 
the  angel  of  righteousness  is 
with  thee.  Wherefore  hearken 
to  this  angel  and  to  his  wrorks. 

11  Learn  also  the  works  of 


Familiar  angels.  COMMAND  VII.         We  must  fear  God. 

his  works,  thou  shalt  live  unto 
God.  And  as  many  as  shall 
*  submit  to  his  work,  shall  live 
also  uuto  God. 

COMMAND  VII. 

That  we  must  fear    God,  but   not   the 
Devil. 

FEAR  8God,  says  he,  and  keep 
his  commandments.  For  if 
thou  keepest  his  commandments 
thou  shalt  be  powerful  in  every 
work,  and  all  thy  works  shall  be 
1  excellent.  For  by  fearing  God, 
thou  shalt  do  every  thing  well. 

2  This  is  that  fear  with  which 
thou  must  be  affected  that  thou 
mayest  be  saved.  But  tear  not 
the  devil :  for  if  thou  fearest 
the  Lord,  thou  shalt  have  do- 
minion over  him  ;  because  there 
is  no  power  in  him. 

3  Now  if  there  be  no  power 
in  him,  then  neither  is  he  to  be 
feared.  But  he  in  whom  there 
is  excellent  power,  he  is  to  be 
feared  :  for  every  one  that  has 
power,  is  to  be  feared.  But  he 
that  has  no  power  is  despised  by 
every  one. 

4  Fear  the  works  of  the  devil, 
because  they  are  evil.  For  by 
fearing  the  Lord,  thou  wilt  fear 
and  not  do  the  works  of  the  de- 
vil, but  keep  thyself  from  them. 

5  There  is  therefore  a  twofold 
fear ;  if  thou  wilt  not  do  evil, 
fear  the  Lord  and  thou  shalt  not 
do  it.  But  if  thou  wilt  do  good, 
6  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  strong, 
and  great  and  glorious. 

6  Wherefore,  fear  God  and 
thou  shalt  live  :  and  whosoever 
shall  fear  him,  and  keep  his  com- 
mandments, their  life  is  with  the 
Lord.  But  they  who  keep  them 
not,  neither  is  life  in  them. 


the  angel  of  iniquity.  He  is  first 
of  all  bitter,  and  angry,  and 
foolish  ;  and  his  works  are  per- 
nicious, and  overthrow  the  ser- 
vants of  God.  When  therefore 
these  things  come  into  thy  heart ; 
thou  shalt  know  by  his  works, 
that  this  is  the  angel  of  inquity. 

12  And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir, 
how  shall  I  understand  these 
things  ?  Hear,  says  he,  and  un- 
derstand. When  anger  over- 
takes thee,  or  bitterness,  know 
that  he  is  in  thee : 

13  As  also,  when  the  desire  of 
many  x  things,  and  of  the  best 
meats  and  of  drunkenness ;  when 
the  love  of  what  belongs  to 
others,  pride,  and  much  speak- 
ing and  ambition,  and  the  like 
things,  come  upon  thee. 

14  When  therefore  these  things 
arise  in  thy  heart,  know  that  the 
angel  of  iniquity  is  with  thee. 
Seeing  therefore  thou  knowest 
his  works,  depai't  from  them  all, 
and  give  no  credit  to  him :  be- 
cause his  works  are  evil,  and  be- 
come not  the  servants  of  God. 

15  Here  therefore  thou  hast 
the  works  of  both  these  angels. 
Understand  now  and  believe  the 
angel  of  righteousness,  because 
his  instruction  is  good. 

16  For  let  a  man  be  never  so 
happy  ;  yet  if  the  thoughts  of  the 
other  angel  arise  in  his  heart,  that 
man  or  woman  must  needs  sin. 

17  But  let  man  or  woman  be 
never  so  wicked,  if  the  works  of 
the  angel  of  righteousness  come 
into  his  heart,  that  man  or  wo- 
man must  needs  do  some  good. 

18  Thou  seest  therefore  how 
it  is  good  to  follow  the  angel  of 
righteousness.  If  therefore  thou 
shall  follow  him,  and  2  submit  to 


1  Works.  Gr.  irpa<teuv.  2  Gr.  iriarevoyc,  Lat.  Credideris,  Believe.  gYid. 
Antioch.  Horn,  exxvii.  Eccles.  xii.  13.  *  kovynparoc,  Without  comparison  : 
or  'without    mixture.  5  Iu  the  Gr.    of   Antioch    these  words    follow 

which   make    the    connection    more   clear:    "Fear    al.su    the    Lord,  aud 
thou  shalt  be  able  to  do  it,  for." 


We  must  flee  evil 


II.  HERMAS. 


and  do  good. 


COMMAND  VIII. 

That  we  must  flee  from  evil,  and  do  good. 

I  HAVE  told  thee,  said  he, 
that  there  are  two  kinds  of 
creatures  of  the  Lord,  and  that 
there  is  a  two-fold  l  abstinence. 
From  some  things  therefore  thou 
must  abstain,  and  from  others  not. 

2  I  answered,  Declare  to  me, 
sir,  from  what  I  must  abstain, 
and  from  what  not.  Hearken, 
said  he.  Keep  thyself  from  evil, 
and  do  it  not ;  but  abstain  not 
from  good,  but  do  it.  For  if 
thou  shalt  abstain  from  what  is 
good,  and  not  do  it,  thou  shalt 
sin.  Abstain  therefore  from  all 
evil,  and  thou  shalt  2  know  all 
righteousness. 

3  I  said,  What  evil  things  are 
they  from  which  I  must  abstain '? 
Hearken,  said  he :  from  adultery, 
from  drunkenness,  from  riots, 
from  excess  of  eating,  from  dain- 
tiness and  dishonesty,  from  pride, 
from  fraud,  from  lying,  from  de- 
traction, from  hypocrisy,  from 
remembrance  of  injuries,  and 
from  all  evil  speaking. 

4  For  these  are  the  works  of 
iniquity,  from  which  the  servant 
of  God  must  abstain.  For  he  that 
cannot  keep  himself  from  these 
things,  cannot  live  unto  God. 

5  But  hear,  said  he,  what  fol- 
lows of  these  kind  of  things :  for 
indeed  many  more  there  are  from 
which  the  servant  of  God  must 
abstain.  From  theft,  and  cheat- 
ing ;  from  false  witness,  from 
covetoumsss,  from  boasting,  and 
all  other  things  of  the  like  nature. 

6  Do  these  things  seem  to 
thee  to  be  evil  or  not  ?     Indeed 


of  God.  Wherefore  the  servant 
of  God  must  abstain  from  all 
these  3  works. 

7  Keep  thyself  therefore  from 
them,  that  thou  mayest  live  unto 
God,  and  be  written  among  those 
that  abstain  from  them.  And 
thus  have  I  shown  thee  what 
things  thou  must  avoid :  now 
learn  from  what  thou  must  not 
abstain. 

8  Abstain  not  from  any  good 
works,  but  do  them.  Hear,  said 
he,  what  the  virtue  of  those  good 
works  is  which  thou  must  do, 
that  thou  mayest  be  saved.  The 
first  of  all  is  faith ;  the  fear  of 
the  Lord  ;  charity ;  concord  ; 
equity ;  truth ;  patience ;  chastity. 

9  There  is  nothing  better  than 
these  things  in  the  life  of  man ; 
4  who  shall  keep  and  do  these 
things  in  their  life.  Hear  next 
what  follow  these. 

10  To  minister  to  the  widows  ; 
not  to  despise  the  fatherless  and 
poor ;  to  redeem  the  servants  of 
God  from  necessity ;  to  be  hospi- 
table; (for  in  hospitality  there 
is  sometimes  5  great  fruit)  not  to 
be  contentious,  but  be  quiet. 

11  To  be  humble  above  all 
men ;  to  reverence  the  aged ;  to 
labour  to  be  righteous;  6to  re- 
spect the  brotherhood ;  to  bear 
affronts ;  to  be  long-suffering ; 
7  not  to  cast  away  those  that 
have  fallen  from  the  faith,  but 
to  convert  them,  and  make  them 
be  of  8good  cheer;  to  admonish 
sinners ;  not  to  oppress  those  that 
are  our  debtors ;  and  all  other 
things  of  a  like  kind. 

12  Do  these   things  seem  to 


they  are  very  evil  to  the  servants  |  thee  to  be  good  or  not  ?     And  I 

1  Antioch.  Horn,  lxxix.  2  Do  according  to  the  Greek,  epyaCouevovc. 
3  Vid.  Coteler.  iu  loc  *  The  sense  here  is  defective,  and  may  be  thus  re- 
stored from  the  Greek  of  Athanasius: — Whoever  keeps  these  things,  and 
doth  not  abstain  from  them,  shall  be  happy  in  his  life.  And  so  the  Lamb. 
MS.:  Haec  qui  custodierit.  5Gr.  a-/a0n7roi7?<jir,  good  deed.  6  ownjpetv. 
7  Add  from  the  Gr.  of  Athanasius  and  Antiochus  :  Not  to  remember  injuries; 
To  comfort  those  who  labour  in  their  minds.  8  Evdvuovr. 
220 


We  must  ask  of  God        COMMAND  IX. 


daily,  h 


said,  "What  can  be  better  than 
these  words?  Live  then,  said 
he,  in  these  commandments,  and 
do  not  depart  from  them.  For 
if  thou  shalt  keep  all  these  com- 
mandments, thou  shalt  live  unto 
God.  And  all  they  that  shall 
keep  these  commandments  shall 
live  unto  God. 

COMMAND  IX. 

That  we  must  ask  of  God  daily;  and 
without  doubting. 

AGAIN  he  said  unto  me; 
1  remove  from  thee  all 
doubting ;  and  question  nothing 
at  all,  when  thou  askest  anything 
of  the  Lord  ;  saying  within  thy- 
self: how  shall  I  be  able  to  ask 
anything  of  the  Lord  and  receive 
it,  seeing  I  have  so  greatly  sinned 
against  him  ? 

2  Do  not  think  thus,  but  turn 
unto  the  Lord  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  ask  ofhim  without  doubt- 
ing, and  thou  shalt  know  the 
mercy  of  the  Lord ;  how  that  he 
will  not  forsake  thee,  but  will 
fulfil  the  request  of  thy  soul. 

3  For  God  is  not  as  men, 
mindful  of  the  injuries  he  has 
received;  but  he  forgets  injuries, 
and  has  compassion  upon  his 
creature. 

4  Wherefore  purify  thy  heart 
from  all  the  vices  of  this  present 
world ;  and  observe  the  com- 
mands I  have  before  delivered 
unto  thee  from  God;  and  thou 
shalt  receive  whatsoever  good 
things  thou  shalt  ask,  and  no- 
thing shall  be  wanting  unto  thee 
of  all  thy  petitions ;  if  thou  shalt 
ask  of  the  Lord  without  doubting. 

5  2  But  they  that  are  not  such, 

1  Vid.  Antioch.  Horn,  lxxxiii.  Confer, 
page  303.     2  Add  from  the  Gr.  both  of  Athanasius  and   Antioclins:  Hut  it 
thou  doubtest  in  thy  heart,  thou  shalt  receive  none  of  thy  petition*     *or 
those  who  distrust  (or,  doubt  of)  God,  are   like  the  double-minded,  ri 
shall  obtain  none  of  these  things.     3  So  MS.  Lamb.  Tardiua  accipiaa  : 
so  the  Gr.  Bpadvrepov  lau{iaveis.     *  Asking  the  petition  of    thy  soul, 
everything.  '  ^ 


shall  obtain  none  of  those  things 
which  they  ask.  For  they  that 
are  full  of  faith  ask  all  thingB 
with  confidence,  and  receive  in  >m 
the  Lord,  because  they  ask  with- 
out doubting.  But  he  that 
doubts,  shall  hardly  live  unto 
God,  except  he  repent. 

6  Wherefore  purify  thy  heart 
from  doubting,  and  put  on  faith, 
and  trust  in  God,  and  thou  shalt 
receive  all  that  thou  shalt  ask. 
But  and  if  thou  shouldest  chance 
to  ask  somewhat  and  not  (3  im- 
mediately) receive  it,  yet  do  not 
therefore  doubt,  because  thou 
hast  not  presently  received  the 
petition  of  thy  soul. 

7  For  it  may  be  thou  shalt 
not  presently  receive  it  for  thy 
trial,  or  else  for  some  sin  which 
thou  knowest  not.  But  do  not 
thou  leave  off  to  ask,  4  and  then 
thou  shalt  receive.  Else  if  thou 
shalt  cease  to  ask,  thou  must 
complain  of  thyself,  and  not  of 
God,  that  he  has  not  given  unto 
thee  what  thou  didst  desire. 

8  Consider  therefore  this 
doubting,  how  cruel  and  perni- 
cious it  is ;  and  how  it  utterly 
roots  out  many  from  the  faith, 
who  were  very  faithful  and  firm. 
For  this  doubting  is  the  daughter 
of  the  devil,  and  deals  very  wick- 
edly with  the  servants  of  God. 

9  Despise  it  therefore,  and 
thou  shalt  rule  over  it 5  on  every 
occasion.  Put  on  a  firm  and 
powerful  faith :  for  faith  pro- 
mises all  things  and  perfects  all 
things.  But  doubting  will  not 
believe,  that  it  shall  obtain  any- 
thing, by  all  that  it  can  do. 

10  Thou  seest  therefore,  says 
Fragm.  D.  Grabe.    Spicileg.  torn.  ' 


and 
In 


Of  the  sadness 


II.  HERMAS. 


of  the  heart. 


he,  how  faith  cometh  from  above, 
from  God ;  and  hath  great  power. 
But  doubting  is  an  earthly  spirit, 
and  proceedeth  from  the  devil, 
and  has  no  strength. 

11  Do  thou  therefore  keep  the 
virtue  of  faith,  and  depart  from 
doubting,  in  which  is  no  virtue, 
and  thou  shalt  live  unto  God. 
And  all  shall  live  unto  God,  as 
many  as  do  these  things. 
COMMAND  X. 

Of  the  sadness  of  the  heart ;  and  that  we 
must  take  heed  not  to  grieve  the  spirit 
of  God  that  is  in  us. 

PUT  all  sadness  far  from  thee ; 
for  it  is  the  sister  of  doubt- 
ing and  of  anger.  How,  sir,  said 
I,  is  it  the  sister  of  these?  for 
sadness,  and  anger,  and  doubt- 
ing, seem  to  me  to  be  very 
different  from  one  another. 

2  And  he  answered :  '  Art 
thou  without  sense  that  thou 
dost  not  understand  it?  For  sad- 
ness is  the  most  mischievous  of 
all  spirits,  and  the  worst  to  the 
servants  of  God  :  *  It  destroys 
the  spirits  of  all  men,  and  tor- 
ments the  Holy  Spirit ;  and 
again,  it  saves. 

3  Sir,  said  I,  I  am  very  fool- 
ish, and  understand  not  these 
3  things.  I  cannot  apprehend 
how  it  can  torment,  and  yet  save. 
Hear,  said  he,  and  understand. 
They  who  never  sought  out  the 
truth,  nor  inquired  concerning 
the  majesty  of  God,  but  only  be- 
lieved, are  involved  in  the  affairs 
of  the  heathen. 

4  And  there  is  another  4  lying 
prophet  that  destroys  the  5  minds 
of  the  servants  of  God ;  that  is 
of  those  that  are  doubtful,  not  of 
those  that  fully  trust  in  the  Lord. 
Now  those  doubtful  persons  come 


to  him,  as  to  a  divine  spirit,  and 
inquire  of  him  what  shall  befall 
them. 

5  And  this  lying  prophet  hav- 
ing no  power  in  him  of  the  divine 
Spirit,  answers  them  according 
to  their  demands,  and  fills  their 
souls  with  promises  according  as 
they  desire.  Howbeit  that  pro- 
phet is  vain,  and  answers  vain 
things  to  those  who  are  them- 
selves vain. 

6  And  whatsoever  is  asked  of 
him  by  vain  men,  he  answers 
them  vainly.  Nevertheless  he 
speaketh  some  things  truly.  For 
the  devil  fills  him  with  his 
spirit,  that  he  may  overthrow 
some  of  the  righteous. 

7  ^[  Whosoever  therefore  are 
strong  in  the  faith  of  the  Lord, 
and  have  put  on  the  truth  :  they 
are  not  joined  to  such  spirits,  but 
depart  from  them.  But  they  that 
are  doubtful,  and  often  repent- 
ing like  the  heathens,  consult 
them,  and  heap  up  to  themselves 
great  sin,  serving  idols. 

8  As  many  therefore  as  are 
such,  inquire  of  them  upon  every 
occasion  ;  worship  idols ;  and  are 
foolish,  and  void  of  the  truth. 

9  For  every  spirit  that  is 
given  from  God  needs  not  to  be 
asked  ;  but  having  the  power  of 
divinity  speaks  all  things  of 
itself;  because  he  comes  from 
above,  from  the  power  of  God. 

10  But  he  that  being  asked 
speaks  according  to  men's  de- 
sires, and  concerning  many  other 
affairs  of  the  present  world,  un- 
derstands not  the  things  which 
relate  unto  God.  For  these  spir- 
its are  darkened  through  such  af- 
fairs, and  corrupted  and  broken. 

11  As  good  vines  if  they  are 


1  Without  sense  thou  dost  not  understand  it.  2  So  the  Lat.  Vers.    But 

the  Gr.  of  Athanasius  is  better:  And  destroyeth  more  than  any  other 
spirit.  3  Questions.  *  Vid.  Epit.  Oxon.  p.'70  b.  Conip.  2  Cor.  vii.  10. 
6  Lat.  S^n«us:  from  the  Greek  Nuuf. 

222 


IT 'e  must  not  grieve 


COMMAND  X.'  the  spirit  of  Cod. 


neglected,  are  oppressed  with 
-weeds  and  thorns,  and  at  last 
killed  hy  them  ;  so  are  the  men 
who  believe  such  spirits. 

12  They  fall  into  many  actions 
and  businesses,  and  are  void  of 
sense,  '  and  when  they  think  of 
things  pertaining  unto  God,  they 
understand  nothing  at  all:  but  if  at 
anytime  they  chance  to  hear  any- 
thing concerning  the  Lord,  their 
2  thoughts  are  upon  their  business. 

13  But  they  that  have  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  and  search  out  the 
truth  concerning  God,  3  having 
all  their  thoughts  towards  the 
Lord ;  apprehend  whatsoever  is 
said  to  them,  and  forthwith  un- 
derstand it,  because  they  have 
the  fear  of  the  Lord  in  them. 

14  For  where  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord  dwells,  there  is  also  *  much- 
understanding  added.  Wherefore 
join  thyself  to  the  Lord,  5and  thou 
shalt  understand  all  things. 

15  ^[  Learn  now,  O  unwise 
man !  how  sadness 6  troubleth  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  how  it  saves. 
When  a  man  that  is  doubtful  is 
engaged  in  any  affair,  and  does 
not  accomplish  it  by  reason  of  his 
doubting,  this  sadness  enters  into 
him,  and  grieves  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  makes  him  sad. 

16  Again,  anger  when  it  over- 
takes any  man  for  any  business 
he  is  greatly  moved  ;  7  and  then 

1  And  understand  nothing  at  all,  thinking  of  riches.     Lat. 
3Gr  of  Athanasius,  Kapihav  exovreg  wpoc  Kvpiov.  So  that  the  Latin  should  he 
Habentes,  not  Habent.  4Gr.  avvtat*  noMr,.  l 'Gr .wavra   vopn <f . 

And  so  in  the  Lamb.  MS.  Omnia  scies.  6  Gr.  enrpipei.  MS.  Lamb,  tonln- 
bulat  7  In  the  Greek  of  Athanasius,  follows  mt   noiriay  n  kokov,  and   he 

doth  something  which  is  ill.  Which  letter  agrees  with  what  follows,  Because 
he  hath  done  amiss.  The  text  in  this  place  being  evidently  corrupted,  it  n;.s 
been  endeavoured  to  restore  the  true  sense  of  it  from  the  Greek  of  Athanasius. 
which  is  as  follows :  naltv  r,  Ivrrr,  uoiropeverai  «f  rrp>  KapSiav  rov  avdpuirov 
tov  ofrxoAf/oavroc,  Km  Ivireirai  ewi  rr,  npa?ei  avrov  y  eirpa&v  km  fieravoa  on 
mmipov  eipyacaro.  Avttj  ow  t)  Ivttt)  Som  aurr,piav  eXdv  on  to  noiypor 
npa^aq   uemvoTjoev.         Apdorepai  6e   ruv    npn^euv  famovffl,    &C.  'AnUOCh. 

Horn   xxv  »Gr.  M^fl^/Je,  MS-   Lamb.    Noli    nocere.  w  W.    »* 

nrmftroi  ™  6eo.    Comp.  Rom.  vii.  27.  ,l  Gr.  To  Sofkv    «f  r>p,  ■ 

ravrVv  Xvrrnv  ovk  mtxpeptu         u  Gr.  Ivxr/c.         ,3  So  the  Greek  :  0  A 
avrip  jravTore  novTjpevcrai,  npurov  fitv  Kovripeverat,  &c. 

Ho 


again  sadness  entcreth  into  the 
heart  of  him,  who  was  moved 
■with  anger,  and  he  is  troubled  for 
what  he  hath  done,  and  repenteth, 
because  ho  hath  done  amiss. 

17  This  sadness  therefore 
seemeth  to  bring  salvation,  be- 
cause he  repenteth  of  his  evil 
deed.  But  both  the  other  things, 
namely,  doubting  and  Badness, 
such  as  before  was  mentioned, 
vex  the  spirit:  doubting,  because 
his  work  did  not  succeed  :  and 
sadness,  because  he  angered  the 
Holy  Spirit. 

18  8  Remove  therefore  sadness 
from  thyself, 9  and  afflict  not  the 
Holy  Spirit  which  dwelleth  in 
thee,  lest  he  10  entreat  God,  and 
depart  from  thee.  For  the  spirit 
of  the  Lord  u  which  is  given  to 
dwell  in  the  flesh,  endureth  no 
such  sadness. 

19  Wherefore  clothe  thyself 
with  cheerfulness,  which  has  al- 
ways favour  with  the  Lord,  and 
thou  shalt  rejoice  in  it.  For  every 
cheerful  man  does  well ;  and  re- 
lishes those  things  that  are  good, 
and  despises  I2  sadness. 

20  But  the  sad  man  does  al- 
ways wickedly.  u  First,  he  cloth 
wickedly,  because  he  grieveth  the 
Holy  Spirit,  which  is  given  to 
man,  being  of  a  cheerful  nature. 
And  again  he  does  ill,  because  he 
prays  with  sadness  unto  the  Lord, 

*  Senses. 


Spirits  and 


II.  HERMAS. 


to  be  tried  by  works. 


and  maketh  not  a  first  thankful 
acknowledgment  unto  him  of  for- 
mer mercies,  and  obtains  not  of 
God  what  he  asks. 

21  For  the  prayer  of  a  sad 
man  has  not  always  efficacy  to 
come  up  to  the  altar  cf  God. 
And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  why 
has  not  the  prayer  of  a  sad  man 
virtue  to  come  up  to  the  altar  of 
God  ?  because,  said  he,  that  sad- 
ness remaineth  in  his  heart. 

22  When  therefore  a  man's 
prayer  shall  be  accompanied  with 
sadness,  it  will  not  suffer  his  re- 
quests to  ascend  pure  to  the  altar 
of  God.  For  as  wiue  when  it  is 
mingled  with  vinegar,  has  not  the 
sweetness  it  had  before  ;  so  sad- 
ness being  mixed  with  the  Holy 
Spirit,  suffers  not  a  man's  prayer 
to  be  the  same  as  it  would  be 
otherwise. 

23  Wherefore  cleanse  thyself 
from  sadness,  which  is  evil,  and 
thou  shalt  live  unto  God.  And 
all  others  shall  live  unto  God,  as 
many  as  shall  lay  aside  sadnesss 
and  put  on  cheerfulness. 

COMMAND  XL 

That  the  spirits  and  prophets  are  to  be 
tried  by  their  ivorks;  and  of  a  two- 
fold spirit, 

HE  shewed  me  certain  men 
sitting  upon  benches,  and 
one  sitting  in  a  chair :  and  he 
said  unto  me  seest  thou  who  sit 
upon  the  benches  ?  Sir,  said  I,  I 
see  them.  He  answered,  They  are 
the  faithful ;  and  he  who  sits  in 
the  chair  is  an  earthly  spirit. 

2  For  he  cometh  not  into '  the 
assembly  of  the  faithful,  but 
avoids  it.  But  he  joins  himself 
to  the  doubtful  and  empty ;  and 


prophesies  to  them  in  corners 
and  hidden  places;  and  pleases 
them  by  speaking  according  to 
all  the  desires  of  their  hearts. 

3  For  he  placing  himself  among 
empty  vessels,  is  not  broken,  but 
the  one  fitteth  the  other.  But 
when  he  cometh  into  the  company 
of  just  men,  2  who  are  full  of  the 
spirit  of  God,  and  they  pray  unto 
the  Lord ;  that  man  is  3  emptied 
because  that  earthly  spirit  flies 
from  him,  and  he  is  dumb,  and 
cannot  speak  anything. 

4  As  if  in  a  store-house  you 
shall  stop  up  wine  or  oil  ;  and 
among  those  vessels  shall  place 
an  empty  jar ;  and  shall  after- 
wards come  to  open  it,  you  shall 
find  it  empty  as  you  stopped  it 
up:  so  those  empty  prophets 
when  they  come  among  the 
spirits  of  the  just,  are  found  to 
be  such  as  they  came.4 

5  ^[  I  said,  How  then  shall  a 
man  be  able  to  discern  them? 
Consider  what  I  am  going  to  say 
considering  both  kinds  of 5  men ; 
and  as  I  speak  unto  thee  so  shalt 
thou  prove  the  prophet  of  God, 
and  the  false  prophet. 

6  And  first  try  the  man  who 
hath  the  spirit  of  God  ;  because 
the  spirit  which  is  from  above  is 
humble,  and  quiet ;  and  departs 
from  all  wickedness  ;  and  from 
the  vain  desires  of  the  present 
world  ;  and  makes  himself  more 
humble  than  all  men ;  and  an- 
swers to  none  when  he  is  asked  ; 
nor  to  eveiy  one  singly :  for  the 
Spirit  of  God  doth  not  speak  to 
a  man  when  he  will,  but  when 
God  pleases. 

7  When  therefore  a  man  who 


1  Church  of  the  living.  2  Have  the  Spirit  of  God  in  them.  3  Exinanitnr. 
4  Something  was  wanting  in  this  place  to  make  the  subject  clear,  and  it  was 
suggested  to  Archbishop  Wake,  by  Dr.  Grabe,  that  what  should  have  follow- 
ed was  transposed  into  the  next  command.  Accordingly  the  Archbishop  re- 
duced both  places  to  what  he  conceived  should  be  their  true  order,  and  in 
that  state  they  now  stand.     5  Vessels. 

224 


t    »      f 


f^7        ;^ieuncg^        <^r?     | 


THE  RESURRECTION   OF  CHRIST.  !P"S°  <■'■ 

FROM    A     "BOOK    OF   THE    EVANGELISTS."    GREEK   MANUSCRIPT   OF  THE   TWELFTH 
CENTURY. 


Of  a  two-fold  spirit.         COMMAND  XII.      Of  a  two-fold  d,  tire, 

hath  the  Spirit  of  God  shall  come  I  14  Sir,  said  I,  how  can  this  be 
into  the  church  of  the  righteous,  done?  For  neither  of  those  things 
who  have  the  faith  of  God,  and  which  you  have  mentioned  are 
they  pray  unto  the  Lord;  then  possible  to  be  done.  And  be  an- 
the  holy  angel  of  God  fills  that  swered,  Therefore  as  these  things 
man  with  the  blessed  Spirit,  and  cannot  be  done,  so  is  the  earthly 
he  speaks  in  the  congregation  as  j  spirit  without  virtue,  and  without 
he  is  moved  of  God.  i  effect. 

8  Thus  therefore  is  the  spirit  15  Understand  yet  farther  the 
of  God  known,  because  whoso- 1  power  which  cometh  from  above 
ever  speaketh  by  the  Spirit  of  j  in  this  similitude.  The  grains  of 
God,  speaketh  as  the  Lord  will.  |  hail  that  drop  down  are  exceed- 

and  yet  when  they 


Hear   now   concerning  the  J  ingly  small 


earthly  spirit,  which  is  empty 
and  foolish,  and  without  virtue. 
And  first  of  all  the  man  who  is 
supposed  to  have  the  Spirit, 
(whereas  he  hath  it  not  in  reality), 
exalteth  himself,  and  desires  to 
have  the  first  seat,  and  is  wicked, 
and  full  of  words. 

10  And  spends  his  time  in 
pleasure,  and  in  all  manner  of 
voluptuousness;  and  receives  the 
reward  of  his  divination ;  which  if 
he  receives  not,  he  does  not  divine. 

11  Should  the  Spirit  of  God 
receive  reward  and  divine  ?  It 
doth  not  become  a  prophet  of 
God  so  to  do. 

12  Thus  you  see  the  life  of  each 
of  these  kind  of  prophets.  Where- 
fore prove  that  man  by  his  life 
and  works,  who  says  that  he 
hath  the  Holy  Spirit.  And  be- 
lieve the  Spirit  which  comes  from 
God,  and  has  power  as  such.  But 
believe  not  the  earthly  and 
empty  spirit,  which  is  from  the 
devil,  in  whom  there  is  no  faith 
nor  virtue. 

13  Hear  now  the  similitude 
which  I  am  about  to  speak  unto 
thee.  Take  a  stone,  and  throw  it 
up  towards  heaven  ;  or  take  a 
spout  of  water,  and  mount  it  up 


fall  upon  the  head  of  a  man,  how 
do  they  cause  pain  to  it  ? 

16  And  again ;  consider  the 
droppings  of  a  house:  how  the 
little  drops  falling  upon  the  earth, 
work  a  hollow  in  the  stones. 

17  So  in  like  manner  the  least 
things  which  come  from  above, 
and  fall  upon  the  earth,  have 
great  force.  Wherefore  join  thy- 
self to  this  spirit,  which  has  the 
power  ;  and  depart  from  the 
other  which  is  empty. 

COMMAND  XII. 

Of  a  twofold  desire:  that  the  commands 
of  God  are  not  impossible :  and  that 
the  devil  is  not  to  be  feared  by  them 
that  believe. 

AGAIN  he  said  unto  me ;  '  re- 
move from  thee  all  evil 
desires,  and  put  on  good  and 
holy  desires.  For  having  put  on 
a  good  desire,  thou  shalt  bate  that 
which  is  evil,  and  bridle  it  as 
thou  wilt.  But  an  evil  desire  is 
dreadful  and  hard  to  be  tamed. 
2  It  is  very  horrible  and  wild : 
and  by  its  wildness  consumes  men. 
And  especially  if  a  servant  of  God 
shall  chance  to  fall  into  it,  except, 
he  be  very  wise,  he ? is  ruined  by 
it.  For  it  destroys  those  who  have 


thitherward;   and    see   if  thou  I  not  the  garment  of  a  good  desire: 

canst  reach  unto  heaven.  |  and 3  are  engaged  in  the  affairs  of 

1  Vid.  Antioch.  Horn,  lxxiv.  2  MS.  Lamb.(  Consumitur,  et,  (Jr.  Aihanas. 
daTzavarai.  3  Gr.  Athanas.  Ffirre^vpuevovc  ry  aiuvi  tovt?.  Instead  of  impli> 
cateos,  the  Lat.  Vers,  should  be  Implicates. 

15  225 


God's  commands 


II.  HERMAS. 


not  impossible. 


this  present  world  ;  and  delivers 
them  unto  death. 

3  *Sir,  said  I,  what  are  the 
works  of  an  evil  desire,  which 
bring  men  unto  death?  Shew 
them  to  me,  that  I  may  depart 
from  them.  Hear  said  he,  by  what 
works  an  evil  desire  bringeth  the 
servants  of  God  unto  death. 

4  First  of  all,  it  is  an  evil  desire 
to  covet  another  man's  wife  ;  or 
for  a  woman  to  covet  another's 
husband ;  as  also  to  desire  the 
dainties  of  riches :  and  multitude 
of  superfluous  meats ;  and  drunk- 
enness ;  and  many  delights. 

5  For  in  much  delicacy  there 
is  folly;  and  many  pleasures  are 
needless  to  the  servants  of  God. 
Such  lusting  therefore  is  evil  and 
pernicious,  which  brings  to  death 
the  servants  of  God.  For  all 
such  lusting  is  from  the  devil. 

6  Whosoever  therefore  shall 
depart  from  all  evil  desires,  shall 
live  unto  God ;  but  they  that  are 
subject  unto  them  shall  die  for 
ever.  For  this  evil  lusting  is 
deadly.  Do  thou  therefore  put  on 
the  desire  of  righteousness,  and 
being  armed  with  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  resist  all  wicked  lusting. 

7  For  this  fear  dwelleth  in 
good  desires ;  and  when  evil 
coveting  shall  see  thee  armed 
with  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  re- 
sisting it,  it  will  fly  far  from 
thee,  and  not  appearing  before 
thee,  but  be  afraid  of  thy  armour. 

8  And  thou  shalt  have  the  vic- 
tory, and  be  crowned  for  it ;  and 
shalt  attain  to  that  desire  which 
is  good;  and  shalt  give  the  vic- 
tory which  thou  hast  obtained 
unto  God,  and  shalt  serve  him 
in  doing  what  thou  thyself  would- 
est  do. 

9  For  if  thou  shalt  serve  good 


desires,  and  be  subject  to  them  ; 
thou  shalt  be  able  to  get  the  do- 
minion over  thy  wicked  lustings  ; 
and  they  shall  be  subject  to  thee 
as  thou  wilt. 

10  f  And  I  said,  Sir,  I  would 
know  how  to  serve  that  desire 
which  is  good  ?  Hearken,  saith 
he,  Fear  God  and  put  thy  trust 
in  him,  and  love  truth,  and 
righteousness,  and  do  that  which 
is  good. 

11  If  thou  shalt  do  these 
things,  thou  shalt  be  an  approved 
servant  of  God  ;  and  shalt  serve 
him  :  and  all  others  who  shall  in 
like  manner  serve  a  good  desire 
shall  live  unto  God. 

12  Tf  And  when  he  had  ful- 
filled these  twelve  commands,  he 
said  unto  me,  Thou  hast  now 
these  commands,  walk  in  them  ; 
and  exhort  those  that  hear  them 
that  repent,  and  that  they  keep 
their  repentance  pure  all  the  re- 
maining days  of  their  life. 

13  And  fulfil  diligently  this 
ministry  which  I  commit  to  thee, 
and  thou  shalt  receive  great  ad- 
vantage by  it ;  and  shalt  find 
favour  with  all  such  as  shall  re- 
pent, and  shall  believe  thy  words. 
For  I  am  with  thee,  and  will 
force  them  to  believe. 

14  And  I  said  unto  him, 
Sir,  these  commands  are  great 
and  excellent,  and  able  to  cheer 
the  heart  of  that  man  that  shall 
be  able  to  keep  them.  But,  Sir, 
I  cannot  tell,  whether  they  can 
be  observed  by  any  man  ? 

15  He  answered,  Thou  shalt 
easily  keep  these  commands,  and 
they  shall  not  be  hard :  howbeit, 
if  thou  shalt  suffer  it  once  to 
enter  into  thy  heart  that  they 
cannot  be  kept  by  any  one,  thou 
shalt  not  fulfil  them. 


1  That  the  words  here  inserted,  and  removed  into  their  proper  place  in  the 
foregoing    Command,    do   not    belong   to   this    Discourse,    the    Greek     of 
Athanasins,  in  which  they  are  all  omitted,  clearly  shews. 
226 


Believers  not  to 


COMMAND  XII. 


fear  th- 


16  But  now  I  say  unto  thee,  i 
if  thou  shalt  not  observe  these  | 
commands,  but  shall  neglect  | 
them,  thou  shalt  not  be  saved,  nor 
thy  children,  nor  thy  house ;  be- 
cause thou  hast  judged  that  these 
commands  cannot  be  kept  by  man. 

17  ^[  These  things  he  spake 
very  angrily  unto  me,  insomuch 
that  he  greatly  affrighted  me. 
For  he  changed  his  countenance, 
so  that  a  man  could  not  bear 
his  anger. 

18  And  when  he  saw  me  altoge- 
ther troubled  and  confounded,  he 
began  to  speak  more  moderately 
and  cheerfully,  saying,  O  foolish, 
and  without  understanding ! 

19  Unconstant,  not  knowing 
the  majesty  of  God  how  great 
and  wonderful  he  is ;  who  cre- 
ated the  world  for  man,  and  hath 
made  every  creature  subject  unto 
him :  and  given  him  all  power, 
that  he  should  be  able  to  *  fulfil 
all  these  commands. 

20  He  is  able,  said  he,  to  2  ful- 
fil all  these  commands,  who  has 
the  Lord  in  his  heart :  but  they 
who  have  the  Lord  only  in  their 
mouths,  and  their  heart  is  har- 
dened, and  they  are  far  from  the 
Lord ;  to  such  persons  these 
commands  are  hard  and  difficult. 

21  Put  therefore,  ye  that  are 
empty  and  light  in  the  faith,  the 
Lord  your  God  in  your  hearts  ; 
and  ye  shall  perceive  how  that 
nothing  is  more  easy  than  these 
commands,  nor  more  pleasant, 
nor  more  gentle  and  holy. 

22  And  turn  yourselves  to  the 
Lord  your  God,  and  forsake  the 
devil  and  his  pleasures,  because 
they  are  evil,  and  bitter,  and 
impure.  And  fear  not  the  devil, 
because  he  has  no  power  over  you. 

23  For  I  am  with  you,  the! 
messenger   of   repentance,   who  i 

1  Ut  dominetur.  2  Angel.  3  Gr 
Matt.  xxiv.  42. 


have  the  dominion  over  him. 
The  devil  doth  indeed  affright 

men ;  but  his  terror  is  vain. 
Wherefore  fear  him  not,  and  he 
will  flee  from  you. 

24  And  I  said  unto  him  ;  Sir, 
hear  me  speak  a  few  words  unto 
you.  He  answered,  Say  on  :  A 
man  indeed  desires  to  Keep  the: 
commandments  of  God :  and 
there  is  no  one  but  what  prays 
unto  God,  that  he  may  be  able 
to  keep  his  commandments. 

25  But  the  devil  is  hard,  and 
by  his  power  rules  over  the  ser- 
vants of  God.  And  he  said  He 
cannot  rule  over  the  servants  of 
God,  3  who  trust  in  him  with  all 
their  hearts. 

26  The  devil  may  strive,  but 
he  cannot  overcome  them. 

27  For  if  ye  resist  him,  he 
will  flee  away  with  confusion 
from  you.  But  they  that  are 
not  full  in  the  faith,  fear  the 
devil,  as  if  he  had  some  great 
power.  For  the  devil  tries  the 
servants  of  God  and  if  he  finds 
them  empty,  he  destroys  them. 

28  For  as  man,  when  he  fills 
up  vessels  with  good  wine,  *  and 
among  them  puts  a  few  vessels 
half  full,  and  comes  to  try  and 
taste  of  the  vessels,  doth  not  try 
those  that  are  full,  because  he 
knows  that  they  are  good  ;  but 
tastes  those  that  are  half  full, 
lest  they  should  grow  sour  ;  (for 
vessels  half  full  soon  grow  sour, 
and  lose  the  taste  of  wine :) 
so  the  devil  comes  to  the  servants 
of  God  to  try  them. 

29  They  that  arc  full  of  faith 
resist  him  stoutly,  and  he  de- 
parts from  them,  because  he 
finds  no  place  where  to  enter 
into  them  :  then  he  goes  to  those 
that  are  not  full  of  faith,  and 
because  he  has  place  of  entranoi , 

eXnitovTuv  ar  ' Avtov.         *  Origc-n.  in 

227 


We  have  an  abiding  city     III.  HERMAS.        in  the  world  to  come. 


he  goes  into  them,  and  does  what 
he  will  with  them,  and  they  be- 
come his  servants. 

30  ^[  But  I,  1  the  messenger  of 
repentance,  say  unto  you,  fear 
not  the  devil,  for  I  am  sent  unto 
you,  that  I  may  be  with  you,  as 
many  as  shall  repent  with  your 
whole  heart,  and  that  I  may 
confirm  you  in  the  faith. 

31  2  Believe  therefore,  ye  who 
by  reason  of  your  transgressions 
have  3  forgot  God,  and  your  own 
salvation ;  and  *  adding  to  your 
sins  have  made  your  life  very 
heavy. 

32  That  if  ye  shall  turn  to 
the  Lord  with  your  whole  hearts, 
and  shall  serve  him  according 
to  his  will ;  he  will  heal  you  of 
your  former  sins,  and  ye  shall 
have  dominion  over  all  the  works 
of  the  devil. 

33  Be  not  then  afraid  in  the 
least   of    his    threatenings,    for 


they  are  without  force,  as  the 
nerves  of  a  dead  man.  But 
hearken  unto  me,  and  fear  the 
Lord  Almighty,  who  is  able  to 
save  and  to  destroy  you  ;  and 
keep  his  commands,  that  ye  may 
live  unto  God. 

34  And  I  said  unto  him ;  Sir, 
I  am  now  confirmed  in  all  the 
commands  of  the  Lord  whilst 
that  you  are  with  me,  and  I 
know  that  you  will  break  all  the 
power  of  the  devil. 

35  And  we  also  shall  over- 
come him,  if  we  shall  be  able, 
through  the  help  of  the  Lord, 
to  keep  these  commands  which 
you  have  delivered. 

36  Thou  shalt  keep  them,  said 
he,  if  thou  shalt  purify  thy 
heart  towards  the  Lord.  And  all 
they  also  shall  keep  them  who 
shall  cleanse  their  hearts  from 
the  vain  desires  of  the  present 
world,  and  shall  live  unto  God. 


The  Third  Bock  of  HERMAS,  which  is   called  his  SIMILI- 
TUDES. 


SIMILITUDE  L 

That  seeing  we  hare  no  abiding  city  in 
this  world,  we  ought  to  look  after  that 
which  is  to  come. 

AND  he  said  unto  me;  5Ye 
know  that  ye  who  are  the 
servants  of  the  Lord,  live  here 
as  in  a  pilgrimage ;  for  your 
city  is  far  off  from  this  city. 

2  If,  therefore,  ye  know  your 
city  in  which  ye  are  to  dwell, 
why  do  ye  here  buy  estates,  and 
provide  yourselves  with  delica- 
cies, and  stately  buildings,  and 
superfluous  houses  ?  For  he 
that  provides  himself  these 
things  in  this  city,  does  not  think 
of  returning  into  his  own  city. 

3  O  foolish,  and  doubtful,  and 


wretched  man  ;  who  understand- 
est  not  that  all  these  things 
belong  to  other  men,  and  are 
under  the  power  of  another. 
For  the  Lord  of  this  city  saith 
unto  thee  ;  Either  obey  my  laws, 
or  depart  out  of  my  city. 

4  What  therefore  shalt  thou 
do  who  art  subject  to  a  law  in 
thine  own  city  ?  Canst  thou  for 
thy  estate,  or  for  any  of  those 
things  which  thou  hast  provided, 
deny  thy  law  ?  But  if  thou  shalt 
deny  it,  and  wilt  afterwards  re- 
turn into  thy  own  city,  thou 
shalt  not  be  received,  but  shall 
be  excluded  thence. 

5  See  therefore,  that  like  a  man 
in  another  country,  thou  procure 


1  Angel.       2  Vid.  Antioch.  Horn.  Ixxvii.  3  MS.  Lamb.  Qui  obliti  estis 

Deuin,  et  salutem  vestram.         4  What  follows  should  be  corrected  thus  ;  Et 
qui  adjicientes  peccatis  vestris,  gravatis  vitam  vestram.  5  Antioch.  Horn.  xv» 
228 


The  rich  helped  by         SIMILITUDE  II.     the  prayer*  of  thepoi ,-. 


no  more  to  thyself  than  what  is 
necessary,  and  sufficient  for 
thee  ?  and  be  ready,  that  when 
the  God  or  Lord  of  this  city 
shall  drive  thee  out  of  it,  thou 
mayst  oppose  his  law,  and  go 
into  thine  own  city ;  where  thou 
mayst  with  all  cheerfulness  live 
according  to  thine  own  law  with 
no  wrong. 

6  Take  heed  therefore  ye  that 
serve  God,  and  have  him  in  your 
hearts :  work  ye  the  works  of 
God,  being  mindful  both  of  his 
commands  and  of  his  promises, 
which  he  has  promised  ;  and  be 
assured  that  he  will  make  them 
good  unto  you  ;  if  ye  shall  keep 
his  commandments. 

7  Instead  therefore  of  the  pos- 
sessions that  ye  would  otherwise 
purchase,  redeem  *  those  that 
are  in  want  from  their  necessi- 
ties, as  everyone  is  able;  justify 
the  widows;  judge  the  cause  of 
the  fatherless  ;  and  spend  your 
riches  and  your  wealth  in  such 
works  as  these. 

8  For,  for  this  end  has  God 
enriched  you,  that  ye  might  ful- 
fil these  kind  of  services.  It  is 
much  better  to  do  this,  than  to 
bay  lands  or  houses  ;  because  all 
such  things  shall  perish  with 
this  present  time. 

9  But  what  ye  shall  do  for 
the  name  of  the  Lord,  ye  shall 
find  in  your  city,  and  shall  have 
joy  without  sadness  or  fear. 
Wherefore  covet  not  the  riches 
of  the  heathen ;  for  they  are  de- 
structive to  the  servants  of  God. 

10  2But  trade  with  your  own 
riche3  which  you  possess,  by 
which  ye  may  attain  unto  ever- 
lasting joy. 

11  And  do  not  commit  adul- 
tery, nor  touch  any  other  man's 

but  covet 


Af 


wife,  nor  desire  her 

i  Souls.       2  MS.  Lambeth.  Proprias,  autem  quas  habetifl  agite 
Origen.  in  Jos.  Horn,  x, 


that  which  is  thy  own  busini 
and  thou  shalt  be  saved. 
SIMILITUDE  II. 

As  the  vine  is  supported  by  the  elm,  so 
is  the  rich  man  helped  by  the  prayers 
of  the  poor. 

S  I  was  walking  into  the 
field,  and  considered  the 
elm  and  the  vine,  and  thought 
with  myself  of  their  fruits,  an 
angel  appeared  unto  me,  and 
said  unto  me ;  What  is  it  that 
thou  thinkest  upon  thus  long 
within  thyself? 

2  And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  I 
think  of  this  vine  and  this  elm 
because  their  fruits  are  fair. 
And  he  said  unto  me;  3 These 
two  trees  are  set  for  a  pattern  to 
the  servants  of  God. 

3  And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  I 
would  know  in  what  the  pattern 
of  these  trees  which  thou  men- 
tionest,  does  consist.  Hearken, 
saith  he  ;  seest  thou  this  vine  and 
this  elm ;  Sir,  said  I,  I  see  them, 

4  This  vine,  saith  he,  is  fruit- 
ful, but  the  elm  is  a  tree  without 
fruit.  Nevertheless  this  vine 
unless  it  were  set  by  this  elm, 
and  supported  by  it,  would  net 
bear  much  fruit;  but  lying  along 
upon  the  ground,  would  bear  but 
ill  fruit,  because  it  did  not  hang 
uponthe  elm  ;whereas,beingsup- 
ported  upontheelm.itbiars  fruit 
both  for  itself  and  for  that. 

5  See,  therefore,  how  tin'  elm 
gives  no  less,  but  rather  more 
fruit,  than  the  vine.  How,  .cir, 
said  I,  does  it  bear  more  fruit 
than  the  vine  ?  Because,  said  he, 
the  vine  beingsupportcd  uponthe. 
elm  gives  both  much  and  good 
fruit;  whereas,  if  it  lay  along 
upon  the  ground,  it  would  li<  :ir 
but  little,  and  that  very  ill  too. 

G  This  similitude,  therefore,  is 
set  forth  to  the  servants  of  God  J 
»Vid. 


220 


Of  green  and 


III.  HERMAS. 


and  it  represents  the  rich  and 
poor  man.  I  answered,  Sir,  make 
this  manifest  unto  me.  Hear, 
said  he;  the  rich  man  has  wealth ; 
howbeit  towards  the  Lord  he  is 
poor;  for  he  is1  taken  up  about  his 
riches,  and  prays  but  little  to  the 
Lord;  and  the  prayers  which  he 
makes  are  lazy  and  without  force. 

7  When,  therefore,  the  rich 
man  reaches  out  to  the  poor  those 
things  which  he  wants,  the  poor 
man  prays  unto  the  Lord  for  the 
rich ;  and  God  grants  unto  the 
rich  man  all  good  things,  because 
the  poor  man  is  rich  in  prayer  ; 
and  his  requests  havegreat  power 
with  the  Lord. 

8  Then  the  rich  man  ministers 
all  things  to  the  poor,  because 
he  perceives  that  he  is  heard  by 
the  Lord :  and  he  the  more  will- 
ingly and  without  doubting, 
affords  him  what  he  wants,  and 
takes  care  that  nothing  be  lack- 
ing to  him. 

9  And  the  poor  man  gives 
thanks  unto  the  Lord  for  the 
rich ;  because  they  do  both  their 
work  from  the  Lord. 

10  With  men  therefore,  the 
elm  is  not  thought  to  give  any 
fruit ;  and  they  know  not  neither 
understand  that  its  company 
being  added  to  the  vine,  the  vine 
bears  a  double  increase,  both  for 
itself  and  for  the  elm. 

11  Even  so  the  poor  praying 
unto  the  Lord  for  the  rich,  are 
heard  by  him  ;  and  their  riches 
are  increased,  because  they 
minister  to  the  poor  of  their 
wealth.  They  are  therefore  both 
made  partakers  of  each  other's 
good  works. 

12  Whosoever,  therefore,  shall 
do  these  things,  he  shall  not  be 
forsaken  by  the  Lord,  but  shall 
be  written  in  the  book  of  life. 

13  Happy  are  they  who  are 

1  Distracted. 
230 


dry  leaves. 


rich,  and  perceive  themselves  to 
be  increased :  for  he  that  is  sen- 
sible of  this,  will  be  able  to  min- 
ister somewhat  to  others. 
SIMILITUDE  III. 

As  the  green  trees  in  the  winter  cannot 
be  distinguished  from  the  dry  ;  so 
neither  can  the  righteous  from  the 
wicked  in  this  present  world. 

AGAIN  he  showed  me  many 
trees  whose  leaves  were 
shed,  and  which  seemed  to  me  to 
be  withered,  for  they  were  all 
alike.  And  he  said  unto  me,  Seest 
thou  these  trees?  I  said,  Sir,  I  see 
that  they  look  like  dry  trees. 

2  He  answering,  said  unto  me ; 
These  trees  are  like  unto  the  men 
who  live  in  the  present  world.  I 
replied  :  Sir,  why  are  they  like 
unto  dried  trce*s  ?  Because,  said 
he,  neither  the  righteous,  nor 
unrighteous,  are  known  from  one 
another  ;  but  all  are  alike  in  this 
present  world. 

3  For  this  world  is  as  the 
winter  to  the  righteous  men, 2  be- 
cause they  are  not  known,  but 
dwell  among  sinners. 

4  As  in  the  winter  all  the  trees 
having  lost  their  leaves,  are  like 
dry  trees;  nor  can  it  be  discerned 
which  are  dry  and  which  are 
green  :  so  in  this  present  world 
neither  the  righteous  nor  wicked 
are  discerned  from  each  other ; 
but  they  are  all  alike. 

SIMILITUDE  IV. 

As  in  the  summer  the  living  trees  are 
distinguished  from  the  dry  by  their 
fruit  and  green  leaves;  so  in  the 
world  to  come  the  righteous  shall  be 
distinguished  from  the  unrighteous  by 
their  happiness. 

AGAIN  he  showed  me  many 
other  trees,  of  which  some 
had  leaves,  and  others  appeared 
dry  and  withered.  And  he  said  un- 
tome,Seestthouthesetrees?  Ian- 
swered,Sir,I  see  them;  and  some 
are  dry,  and  others  full  of  leaves. 
*  Who  are. 


Of  a  true  fast  and 


SIMILITUDE  V. 


Vie  reward*  of  i>. 


2  These  trees,  saith  he,  which 
are  green,  are  the  righteous  which 
shall  possess  the  world  to  come. 
For  the  world  to  come,  is  the 
summer  to  the  righteous  ;  but  to 
sinners  it  is  the  winter. 

3  When,  therefore,  the  mercy 
of  the  Lord  shall  shine  forth, 
then  they  who  serve  God  shall 
be  made  manifest,  and  plain  unto 
all  For  as  in  the  summer  the 
fruit  of  every  tree  is  shown  and 
made  manifest,  so  also  the  works 
of  the  righteous  shall  be  declared 
and  made  manifest,  and  they 
shall  be  restored  in  that  world 
merry  and  joyful. 

4  For  the  other  1  kind  of  men, 
namely  the  wicked,  like  the  trees 
which  thou  sawest  dry,  shall  as 
such  be  found  dry  and  without 
fruit  in  that  other  world  ;  and 
like  dry  wood  shall  be  burnt ; 
and  it  shall  be  made  manifest 
that  they  have  done  evil  all  the 
time  of  their  life ; 

5  And  they  shall  be  burnt  be- 
cause they  have  sinned  and  have 
not  repented  of  their  sins.  And 
also  all  the  other  nations  shall  be 
burnt,  because  they  have  not  ac- 
knowledged God  their  Creator. 

6  Do  thou  therefore  bring 
forth  good  fruit,  that  in  the  sum- 
mer thy  fruit  may  be  known  ; 
and  keep  thyself  from  much 
business,  and  thou  shalt  not 
offend.  For  they  who  are  in- 
volved in  much  business,  sin 
much;  because  they  are  taken 
up  with  their  affairs,  and  serve 
not  God. 

7  And  how  can  a  man  that 
does  not  serve  God,  ask  anything 
of  God,  and  receive  it?  But  they 
who  serve  him,  ask  and  receive 
what  they  desire. 

8  But,  if  a  man  has  only  one 
thing  to  follow,  he  may  serve 

i  Nations  2  With  me.  3  Vid.  not. 
ibid.      6  Jejuna  certe  verum  jejunium 


God,  because  his  mind  is  not 
taken  off  from  God  but  be  serves 
him  with  a  pure  mind. 

9  If,  therefore,  thou  shalt  do 
this,  thou  mayest  have  fruit  in 
the  world  to  come  ;  and  all,  as 
many  as  shall  do  in  like  manucr, 
shall  bring  forth  fruit. 
SIMILITUDE  V. 

Of  a  true  fast,  and  the  rewards  of  it,  also 
of  the  cle.aidiness  of  the  body- 

AS  I  was  fasting,  and  sitting 
down  in  a  certain  mountain, 
and  giving  thanks  unto  God  for 
all  the  things  that  he  had  done  ■ 
unto  me  ;  behold  I  saw  the  shep- 
herd, who  was  wont  to  converse 
with  me,  sitting  by  me,  and  say- 
ing unto  me :  What  has  brought 
thee  hither  thus  early  in  the 
morning?  I  answered,  Sir,  to- 
day I  keep  a 3  station. 

2  He  answered,  What  is  a 
station  ?  I  replied,  it  is  a  fast. 
He  said,  What  is  that  fast?  I 
answered,  I  fast,  as  I  have  been 
wont  to  do.  Ye  know  not,  said 
he,  what  it  is  to  fast  unto  God  ; 
nor  is  this  a  fast  which  ye  fast, 
profiting  nothing  with  God. 

3  Sir,  said  I,  what  makes  you 
speak  thus  ?  He  replied,  I  speak 
it,  because  this  is  not  the  true 
fast  which  you  think  that  you 
fast ;  but  I  will  show  you  what 
that  is  which  is  a 4  complete  fast, 
and  acceptable  unto  God. 

4  Hearken,  said  he,  The  Lord 
does  not  desire  such  a  needless 
fast :  for  by  fasting  in  this  man- 
ner, thou  advancest  nothing  in 
righteousness. 

5  5  But  the  true  fast  is  this : 
Do  nothing  wickedly  in  thy  life, 
but  serve  God  with  a  pure  mind  ; 
and  keep  his  commandments 
and  walk  according  to  his  pre- 
cepts, nor  suffer  any  wicked  de- 
sire to  enter  into  the  mind. 


Coteler.  in  loc.  pp.  72,  73 
tale.    Lat. 


'  C.tul.T. 


201 


Of  a  true  fast  and 


III.  HERMAS. 


the  rewards  of  it. 


6  But  trust  in  the  Lord,  that 
if  thou  dost  these  things,  and 
fearest  him,  and  abstaineth  from 
every  evil  work,  thou  shalt  live 
unto  God. 

7  If  thou  shalt  do  this,  thou 
shalt  perfect  a  great  fast,  and  an 
acceptable  one  unto  the  Lord. 

8  T  Hearken  unto  the  simili- 
tude which  I  am  about  to  pro- 
pose unto  thee,  as  to  this  matter. 

9  A  certain  man  having  a 
farm,  and  many  servants,  planted 
a  vineyard  in  a  certain  part  of 
his  estate  for  his  posterity  : 

10  And  taking  a  journey  into 
a  far  country,  chose  one  of  his 
servants  which  he  thought  the 
most  faithful  and  approved,  and 
delivered  the  vineyard  into  his 
care ;  commanding  him  that  he 
should  take  up  the  vines.  Which 
if  he  did,  and  fulfilled  his  com- 
mand, he  promised  to  give  him 
his  liberty.  Nor  did  he  command 
him  to  do  anything  more;  and 
so  went  into  a  far  country. 

11  And  after  that  servant  had 
taken  that  charge  upon  him,  he 
did  whatsoever  his  lord  com- 
manded him.  And  when  he  had 
staked  the  vineyard,  and  found 
it  to  be  full  of  weeds,  he  began 
to  think  with  himself,  saying; 

12  I  have  done  what  my  lord 
commanded  me,  I  will  now  dig 
this  vineyard,  and  when  it  is 
digged,  it  will  be  more  beautiful; 
and  the  weeds  being  pulled  up, 
it  will  bring  forth  more  fruit 
and  not  be  choked  by  the  weeds. 

13  So  setting  about  this  work 
he  digged  it,  and  plucked  up  all 
the  weeds  that  were  in  it ;  and 
so  the  vineyard  became  very 
beautiful  and  prosperous,  not 
being  choked  with  weeds. 

14  After  some  time  the  lord 
of  the  vineyard  comes  and  goes 


into  the  vineyard,  and  when  he 
saw  that  it  was  handsomely 
staked  and  digged,  and  the  weeds 
plucked  up  that  were  in  it,  and 
the  vines  flourishing,  he  rejoiced 
greatly  at  the  care  of  his  servant. 

15  And  calling  his  son  whom 
he  loved,  and  who  was  to  be  his 
heir,  and  his  friends  with  whom 
he  was  wont  to  consult ;  he  tells 
them  what  he  had  commanded 
his  servant  to  do,  and  what  his 
servant  had  done  more ;  and  they 
immediately  congratulated  that 
servant,  that  he  had  received  so 
1  full  a  testimony  from  his  lord. 

16  Then  he  said  to  them,  I 
indeed  promised  this  servant  his 
liberty,  if  he  observed  the  com- 
mand which  I  gave  him ;  and 
he  observed  it,  and  besides  has 
done  a  good  work  to  my  vine- 
yard, which  has  exceedingly 
pleased  me. 

17  Wherefore,  for  this  work 
which  he  hath  done,  I  will  make 
him  my  heir  together  with  my 
son,  because  that  when  he  saw 
what  was  good,  he  neglected  it 
not,  but  did  it. 

18  This  design  of  the  lord  both 
his  son  and  his  friends  approved, 
namely,  that  his  servant  should 
be  heir  together  with  his  son. 

19  Not  long  after  this,  the 
master  of  the  family  calling  to- 
gether his  friends,  sent  from  his 
supper  several  kinds  of  food  to 
that  servant. 

20  Which  when  he  had  re- 
ceived, he  took  so  much  of  them 
as  was  sufficient  for  himself,  and 
divided  the  rest  among  his  fellow 
servants. 

21  Which  when  they  had  re- 
ceived, they  rejoiced  ;  and  wished 
that  he  might  find  yet  greater 
favour  with  his  lord,  for  what 
he  had  done  to  them. 


232 


1  Just  a  commendation. 


I+DONAt 


CHRIST  AS  A  GARDENER  APPEARING  TO   MARY  MAGDALENE.         [Pag*  76. 
FROM    A    PAINTING    IN    DISTEMPER    ON   WOOD  :     TWELFTH    CENTURY. 
The  letters  underneath  are  from  the back  of  the  p icture  :  "  Bonatu*  Bisananu* ,  pixit 


Of  a  true  fast  and  SIMILITUDE  V. 


the  r<  wardt  of  it. 


22  When  his  lord  heard  all 
these  things,  he  was  again  filled 
with  great  joy ;  and  calling  again 
his  friends  and  his  son  together, 
he  related  to  them  what  his  ser- 
vant had  done  with  the  meats 
which  he  had  sent  unto  them. 

23  They  therefore  so  much 
the  more  assented  to  the  master 
of  the  household  ;  and  he  ought 
to  make  that  servant  his  heir 
together  with  his  son. 

24  T  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  I 
know  not  these  similitudes,  nei- 
ther can  I  understand  them,  un- 
less you  expound  them  unto  me. 
I  will,  says  he,  expound  all 
things  unto  thee  whatsoever  I 
have  talked  with  thee,  or  shewn 
unto  thee. 

25  Keep  the  commandments 
of  the  Lord  and  thou  shalt  be 
approved,  and  shalt  be  written 
in  the  number  of  those  that  keep 
his  commandments.  But  if  be- 
sides those  things  which  the  Lord 
hath  commanded,  thou  shalt  add 
some  good  thing;  thou  shalt 
purchase  to  thyself  a  greater 
dignity,  and  be  in  more  favour 
with  the  Lord  than  thou  shouldst 
otherwise  have  been. 

26  If  therefore  thou  shalt  keep 
the  commandments  of  the  Lord, 
and  shalt  add  to  them  these  sta- 
tions, thou  shalt  rejoice ;  but 
especially  if  thou  shalt  keep  them 
according  to  my  commands. 

27  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  what- 
soever thou  shalt  command  me, 
I  will  observe ;  for  I  know  that 
thou  wilt  be  with  me.  I  will, 
said  he,  be  with  thee  who  hast 
taken  up  such  a  resolution ;  and 
I  will  be  with  all  those  who 
purpose  in  like  manner. 

28  This  fast,  saith  he,  whilst 
thou  dost  also  observe  the  com- 
mandments of  the  Lord,  is  ex- 


ceeding good.    Thus  shalt  there- 
fore thou  keep  it. 

29  First  of  all,  take  heed  to 
thyself,  and  keep  thyself  from 
every  'wicked  act,  and  from 
every  filthy  word,  and  from  every 
hurtful  desire;  and  purify  thy 
mind  from  all  the  vanity  of  this 
present  world.  If  thou  shalt 
observe  these  things,  this  fast 
shall  be  right. 

30  Thus  therefore  do.  Having 
performed  what  is  before  writ- 
ten, that  day  on  which  thou 
fastest  thou  shalt  taste  nothing 
at  all  but  2 bread  and  water; 
3  and  computing  the  quantity  of 
food  which  thou  art  wont  to  eat 
upon  other  days,  thou  shalt  May 
aside  the  expense  which  thou 
shouldest  have  made  that  day, 
and  give  it  unto  the  widow,  the 
fatherless,  and  the  poor. 

31  2And  thus  thou  shalt  per- 
fect the  humiliation  of  thy  soul ; 
that  he  who  receives  of  it  may 
satisfy  his  soul,  and  his  prayer 
come  up  to  the  Lord  God  for  thee. 

32  If  therefore  thou  shalt  thus 
accomplish  thy  fast,  as  I  com- 
mand thee,  thy  sacrifice  shall  be 
acceptable  unto  the  Lord,  and  thy 
fast  shall  be  written  in  his  book. 

33  This  station,  thus  per- 
formed, is  good  and  pleasing,  and 
acceptable  unto  the  Lord.  These 
things  if  thou  shalt  observe  with 
thy  children  and  with  all  thy 
house,  thou  shalt  be  happy. 

34  And  whosoever  when  they 
hear  these  things,  shall  do  them, 
they  also  shall  be  happy ;  and 
whatsoever  they  shall  ask  of  the 
Lord  they  shall  receive  it. 

35  And  I  prayed  him  that  he 
would  expound  unto  me  the  simi- 
litude of  the  farm,  and  the  Lord, 
and  of  the  vineyard,  and  of  the 
servant  that  had  staked  the  vine- 


1  Shameful ;  or,  upbraiding.  2  Vid.  Not.  Coteler.  ii.,  p.  74.  A.  B.  C. 

3  Vid.  Antioch.  Horn.  vii. 

233 


Of  cleanliness 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  body. 


yard  ;  and  of  the  weeds  that  were 
plucked  out  of  the  vineyard ;  and 
of  his  son  and  his  friends  which 
he  took  into  council  with  him. 
For  I  understand  that  that  was  a 
similitude. 

36  He  said  unto  me,  Thou  art 
very  bold  in  asking:  for  thou 
oughtest  not  to  ask  any  thing  ; 
because  if  it  be  fitting  to  shew  it 
unto  thee,  it  shall  be  shewed  unto 
thee. 

37  I  answered  him  ;  Sir,  what- 
soever thou  shalt  shew  me,  with- 
out explaining  it  unto  me,  I  shall 
in  vain  see  it,  if  I  do  not  under- 
stand what  it  is.  And  if  thou 
shalt  propose  any  similitudes,  and 
not  expound  them,  I  shall  in  vain 
hear  them. 

38.  He  answered  me  again, 
saying :  Whosoever  is  the  servant 
of  God,  and  has  the  Lord  in  his 
heart,  he  desires  understanding 
of  him,  and  receives  it ;  and  he 
explains  every  similitude,  and 
understands  the  words  of  the 
Lord  which  need  an  incpiiry. 

39  But  they  that  are  lazy  and 
slow  to  pray,  doubt  to  seek  from 
the  Lord ;  although  the  Lord  be 
of  such  an  extraordinai*y  good- 
ness, that  without  ceasing  he  giv- 
eth  all  things  to  them  that  ask 
of  him. 

40  Thou  therefore  who  art 
strengthened  by  that  venerable 
messenger,  and  hast  received 
such  a  powerful  gift  of  prayer  ; 
seeing  thou  art  not  slothful,  why 
dost  thou  not  now  ask  under- 
standing of  the  Lord,  and  re- 
ceive it? 

41  I  said  unto  him  ;  seeing  I 
have  thee  present,  it  is  necessary 
that  I  should  seek  it  of  thee,  and 
ask  thee  ;  for  thou  showest  all 
things  unto  me,  and  speakest  to 
me  when  thou  art  present. 

42  But  if  I  should  see  or  hear 


these  things  when  thou  wert  not 
present,  I  would  then  ask  the  Lord 
that  he  would  shew  them  unto  me. 

43  ^[  And  he  replied,  I  said  a 
little  before  that  thou  wert  sub- 
tle and  bold,  in  that  thou  asketh 
the  meaning  of  these  similitudes. 

44  But  because  thou  still  per- 
sistest,  I  will  unfold  to  thee  this 
parable  which  thou  desirest,  that 
thou  mayest  make  it  known  unto 
all  men. 

45  Hear  therefore,  said  he, 
and  understand.  The  farm  be- 
fore mentioned  denotes  the  whole 
earth.  The  Lord  of  the  farm  is 
he  who  created  and  finished  all 
things,  and  gave  virtue  unto  them. 

46  His  son  is  the  Holy  Spirit : 
the  servant  is  the  Son  of  God  : 
the  vineyard  is  the  people  whom 
he  saves.  The  stakes  are  the 
1  messengers  which  are  set  over 
them  by  the  Lord,  to  support  his 
people.  The  weeds  that  are 
plucked  up  out  of  the  vineyard, 
are  the  sins  which  the  servants 
of  God  had  committed. 

47  The  food  which  he  sent 
him  from  his  supper,  are  the 
commands  which  he  gave  to  his 
people  by  his  Son.  The  friends 
whom  he  called  to  counsel  with 
him,  are  the  holy  angels  whom 
he  first  created.  The  absence  of 
the  master  of  the  household,  is 
the  time  that  remains  unto  his 
coming. 

48  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  all 
these  things  are  very  excellent, 
and  wonderful,  and  good.  But, 
continued  I,  could  I  or  any  other 
man  besides  though  never  so  wise, 
have  understood  these  things  ? 

49  Wherefore  now,  sir,  tell 
me,  what  I  ask.  He  replied, 
ask  me  what  thou  wilt.  Why, 
said  I,  is  the  Son  of  God  in  this 
parable,  put  in  the  place  of  a 
servant  ? 


234 


Angels. 


Of  cleanliness 


SIMILITUDE  V. 


| 


50  Hearken,  he  said  ;  the  Son 
of  God  is  not  put  in  the  condition 
of  a  servant,  but  in  great  power 
and  authority.  I  said  unto  him 
'  how,  sir  ?  I  understand  it  not.' 

51  Because,  said  he,  the  Son 
set  his  ^esssengers  over  those 
whom  the  Father  delivered  unto 
him,  to  keep  every  one  of  them ; 
but  he  himself  labored  very 
much,  and  suffered  much,  that 
he  might  blot  out  their  offences. 

52  For  no  vineyard  can  be 
digged  without  much  labour  and 
pains.  Wherefore  having  blot- 
ted out  the  sins  of  his  people,  he 
shewed  to  them  the  paths  of  life, 
giving  them  the  law  which  he 
had  received  of  the  Father. 

53  You  see,  said  he,  that  he  is 
the  Lord  of  his  people,  having 
received  all  power  from  his 
Father.  2  But  why  the  Lord  did 
take  his  Son  into  counsel,  about 
dividing  the  inheritance,  and  the 
good  angels,  hear  now. 

54  That 3  Holy  Spirit,  which 
was  created  first  of  all,  he  placed 
in  the  body  in  which  God 
should  dwell;  namely,  in  a 
chosen  body,  as  it  seemed  good 
to  him.  This  body  therefore 
into  which  the  3  Holy  Spirit  was 
brought,  served  that  Spirit, 
walked  rightly  and  purely  in 
modesty;  nor  ever  defiled  that 
Spirit. 

55  Seeing  therefore  the  body 
at  all  times  obeyed  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  laboured  rightly  and 
chastely  with  him,  nor  faltered 
at  any  time ;  that  body  being 
wearied  conversed  indeed  ser- 
vilely, but   being   mightily  ap- 


proved to   God  with    the   Holy 
Spirit,  was  accepted  by  him. 

56  For  such  a  stout  course 
pleased  God,  because  he  was  not  - 
defiled  in  the  earth,  keeping  the  ^ 
Holy  Spirit.  He  called  there- 
fore to  counsel  his  Son,  and  the 
good  angels,  that  there  might  be 
some  place  of  standing  given  to 
this  body  which  had  served  the 
Holy  Spirit  without  blame  ;  lest 

it  should   seem   to  have  lost  the 
reward  of  its  service. 

57  For  every  pure  body  shall 
receive  its  reward  ;  that  is  found 
without  spot,  in  which  the  Holy 
Spirit  has  been  appointed  to 
dwell.  And  thus  you  have  now 
th e  exposition  of  t  h  is  pa rabl e  also. 

58  Sir,  said  I,  I  now  under- 
stand your  meaning,  since  I  have 
heard  this  exposition.  Hearken 
further,  said  he:  keep  this  thy 
body  clean  and  pure,  that  the 
Spirit  which  shall  dwell  in  it 
may  bear  witness  unto  it,  and  be 
judged  to  have  been  with  thee. 

59  Also  take  heed  that  it  be 
not  instilled  into  thy  mind  that 
this  body  perishes,  and  thou 
abuse  it  to  any  lust.  For  if  thou 
shalt  defile  thy  body,  thou  shalt 
also  at  the  same  time  defile  the 
Holy  Spirit ;  and  if  thou  shalt 
defile  *the  Holy  Spirit,  thou 
shalt  not  live. 

60  And  I  said,  What  if 
through  ignorance  this  should 
have  been  already  committed, 
before  a  man  heard  these  words  ; 
How  can  he  attain  nnto  salva- 
tion, who  has  thus  defiled  his 
body? 

61  He    replied,  As  for  nun's 


1  Angels.  2This  place,  which  in  all  the  editions  of  Hermas  is  wretchedly 
corrupted,  by  the  collation  of  editions  and  MSS.  is  thus  corrected  by  Dr. 
Grabe:  "Quaere  autem  Dominus  in  concilioadhibuent,  filiura  de hrcrrdn.-u.-, 
honestosque  nuncios,  audi;  Spiritum  Sanctum,  qui creatus  est  omnium  | .n- 
mus.  in  corpore,  in  quo  habitaret  Deus,  collocavit ;  in  delecto  >.■,!.., -t  « ,t- 
pore  quod  ei  videbatur."  3  Viz.  the  created  Spirit  of  (bn-t,  M  man:  not 
the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Third  Person  of  the  Sacred  Trinity.  «lhybody. 
according  to  some  copies.  %),,_ 


Of  two  sorts  of 


III.  HERMAS. 


voluptuous  men. 


former  actions  which  through 
ignorance  they  have  committed, 
God  only  can  afford  a  remedy 
unto  them ;  for  all  the  power  be- 
longeth  unto  him. 

62  But  now  guard  thyself;  and 
seeing  God  is  almighty  and  mer- 
ciful, he  will  grant  a  remedy  to 
what  thou  hast  formerly  done 
amiss,  if  for  the  time  to  come 
thou  shalt  not  defile  thy  body 
and  spirit ; 

63  For  they  are  companions 
together,  and  the  one  cannot  be 
defiled  but  the  other  will  be  so 
too.  Keep  therefore  both  of 
them  pure,  and  thou  shalt  live 
unto  God. 

SIMILITUDE  VI. 

Of  two  sorts  of  voluptuous  men,  and  of 
their  death,  defection,  and  of  the  con- 
tinuance of  their  pains 

AS  I  was  sitting  at  home,  and 
praising  God  for  all  the 
things  which  I  had  seen  ;  and 
was  thinking  concerning  the 
commands,  that  they  were  ex- 
ceeding good,  and  great,  and 
honest,  and  pleasant ;  and  such 
as  were  able  to  bring  a  man  to 
salvation  ;  I  said  thus  within  my- 
self; I  shall  be  happy  if  I  shall 
walk  according  to  these  com- 
mands, and  whosoever  shall  walk 
in  them  shall  live  unto  God. 

2  Whilst  I  was  speaking  on 
this  wise  within  myself,  I  saw 
him  whom  I  had  before  been 
wont  to  see,  sitting  by  me ;  and 
he  spake  thus  unto  me : 

3  What  doubtest  thou  con- 
ceiving my  commands  which  I 
have  delivered  unto  thee?  They 
are  good,  doubt  not,  but  trust  in 
the  Lord,  and  thou  shalt  walk 
in  them.  For  I  will  give  thee 
strength l  to  fulfil  them. 

4  These  commands  are  profit- 
able to  those  who  shall  repent  of 


those  sins  which  they  have  for- 
merly committed  ;  if  for  the  time 
to  come  they  shall  not  continue 
in  them. 

5  Whosoever  therefore  ye  be 
that  repent,  cast  away  from  you 
the  naughtiness  of  the  present 
world ;  and  put  on  all  virtue, 
and  righteousness,  and  so  shall 
ye  be  able  to  keep  these  com- 
mands ;  and  not  sin  from  hence- 
forth any  more. 

6  For  if  ye  shall  keep  your- 
selves from  sin  from  the  time  to 
come,  ye  shall  cut  off  a  great  deal 
of  your  former  sins.  Walk  in  my 
commands,  and  ye  shall  live  unto 
God :  These  things  have  I  spoken 
unto  you. 

7  And  when  he  had  said  this, 
he  added;  let  us  go  into  the  field, 
and  I  will  show  thee  shepherds  of 
sheep.     I  replied,  sir,  let  us  go. 

8  And  we  came  into  a  certain 
field,  and  there  he  showed  me  a 
young  shepherd, 2  finely  arrayed, 
with  his  garments  of  a  purple 
colour.  And  he  fed  large  flocks ; 
and  his  sheep  were  full  of  plea- 
sure, and  in  much  delight  and 
cheerfulness  ;  and  they  skipping, 
ran  here  and  there. 

9  And  the  shepherd  took  very 
great  satisfaction  in  his  flock ; 
and  the  countenance  of  that  shep- 
herd was  cheerful,  running  up 
and  down  among  his  flock. 

10  ^[  Then  the  angel  said  unto 
me,  Seest  thou  this  shepherd  ?  I 
answered,  sir,  I  see  him.  He  said 
unto  me,  this  is  the  3  messenger 
of  delight  and  pleasure.  He 
therefore  corrupts  the  minds  of 
the  servants  of  God,  and  turns 
them  from  the  truth,  delighting 
them  with  many  pleasures,  and 
they  perish. 

11  For  they  forget  the  com- 
mands of  the  living  God,  and  live 


'In  them. 

236 


2  Vid.  Annot.  Coteler.  in  loc. 


Angel. 


Of  two  sorts  of 


SIMILITUDE  VI. 


voluptuous  men, 


in  luxury  and  in  vain  pleasures, 
and  are  corrupted  by  the  evil  an- 
gel, some  of  them  even  unto  death ; 
and  others  to  '  a  falling  away. 

12  1  replied  ;  I  understand  not 
what  you  mean,  by  saying  unto 
death,  and  to  a  falling  away. 
Hear,  says  he ;  all  these  sheep 
which  thou  sawest  exceeding 2 
joyful,  are  such  as  have  for  ever 
departed  from  God,  and  given 
themselves  up  to  the s  lusts  of 
this  present  time. 

13  To  these  therefore  there  is 
no  return,  by  repentance  unto 
life  ;  because  that  to  their  other 
sins  they  have  added  this,  that 
they  have  blasphemed  the  name 
of  the  Lord.  These  kind  of  men 
are  ordained  uuto  death. 

14  But  those  sheep  which  thou 
sawest  not  leaping,  but  feeding  in 
one  jdace,  are  such  as  have  in- 
deed given  themselves  up  to 
pleasures  and  delights ;  but  have 
not  spoken  anything  wickedly 
against  the  Lord. 

15  These  therefore  are  only 
fallen  off  from  the  truth,  and  so 
have  yet  hope  laid  up  for  them 
in  repentance.  For  such  a  fall- 
ing off  hath  some  hope  still  left 
of  a  renewal ;  but  they  that  are 
dead,  are  utterly  gone  forever. 

16  Again  we  went  a  little  far- 
ther forward  ;  and  he  showed  me 
a  great*  shepherd,  who  had  as  it 
were  a  rustic  figure,  clad  with  a 
white  goat's  skin,  having  his  bag 
upon  his  shoulder,  and  in  his 
hand  a  stick  full  of  knots,  and 
very  hard,  and  a  whip  in  his 
other  hand;  and  his  countenance 
was  stern  and  sour;  enough  to  af- 
fright a  man ;  such  was  his  look. 

17  He  took  from  that  young 
shepherd  such  sheep  as  lived  in 
pleasures,  but  did  not  skip  up 


and  down  ;  and  drove  them  into 
a  certain  steep  craggy  place  full 
of  thorns  and  briars,  insomuch 

that  they  could  not  get  them- 
selves free  from  them. 

18  But  being  entangled  iu 
them,  fed  upon  thorns  and  briars, 
and  were  grievously  tormented 
with  his  whipping.  For  he  Btil] 
drove  them  on,  and  afforded  tin  rn 
not  any  place  or  time  to  standstill. 

19  If  When  therefore  I  saw 
them  so  cruelly  whipped  and 
afflicted,  I  was  grieved  for  them  ; 
because  they  were  greatly  tor- 
mented, nor  had  they  any  rest 
afforded  them. 

20  And  I  said  unto  the  shep- 
herd that  was  with  me;  Sir,  wlio 
is  this  cruel  and  implacable 
shepherd,  who  is  moved  with  no 
compassion  towards  these  sheep? 
He  answered, 5  This  shepherd  is 
indeed  one  of  the 6  holy  angels, 
but  is  appointed  for  the  punish- 
ment of  sinners. 

21  To  him  therefore  are  deli- 
vered those  who  have  erred  from 
God,  and  served  the  lusts  and 
pleasures  of  this  world.  For  this 
cause  he  punishes  them  every  one 
according  to  their  deserts,  with 
cruel  and  various  kinds  of  pains. 

22  Sir,  said  I,  I  would  know, 
what  kind  of  pains  they  arc 
which  every  one  undergoes  ? 
Hearken,  said  he  ;  The  several 
pains  and  torments  arc  those 
which  men  every  day  undergo 
in  their  present  lives.  For  some 
suffer  losses  ;  others  poverty  ; 
others  divers  sicknesses.  Some 
are  unsettled;  others  suffer  in- 
juries from  those  that  are  un- 
worthy; others  fall  under  many 
other  trials  and  inconveniences. 

23  Formany  with  an  unsettA  d 
design  aim  at  many  things,  and  it 

1  Ad.  defectionem.  Lat.  2  Exultantia.  Lat.  >  In  Or.  Athanu >  ™jty""< 
>tov  Aiwoc  tovtov*  Agrestem  Lat.5  Vid.  Ongen.  mi's,  xx  xvi.  I  Lorn. ,1.  Big  M- 
eous.  In  Gr.  Athanas.  «  ruv  Ayyeluv  ryv  duaiiuv  ecu,  &C.  et  mc  B8>  Lamb. 

2.K)  I 


Their  death 


III.  HERMAS. 


and  defection. 


profiteth  them  not ;  and  they  say- 
that  they  have  not  success  in 
their  undertakings. 

24  *  They  do  not  call  to  their 
mind  -what  they  have  done 
amiss,  and  they  complain  of  the 
Lord.  When  therefore  they 
shall  have  undergone  all  kind 
of  vexation  and  inconvenience ; 
then  they  are  delivered  over  to  me 
for  good  instruction,  and  are  con- 
firmed in  the  faith  of  the  Lord, 
and  serve  the  Lord  all  the  rest  of 
their  days  with  a  pure  mind. 

25  And  when  they  begin  to 
repent  of  their  sins,  then  they 
call  to  mind  their  works  which 
they  have  done  amiss,  and  give 
honour  to  God,  saying,  That  he 
is  a  just  Judge,  and  they  have 
deservedly  suifered  all  things 
according  to  their  deeds. 

26  Then  for  what  remains  of 
their  lives,  they  serve  God  with 
a  pure  mind  ;  and  have  success 
in  all  their  undertakings,  and 
receive  from  the  Lord  whatever 
they  desire. 

27  And  then  they  give  thanks 
unto  the  Lord  that  they  were 
delivered  unto  me  ;  nor  do  they 
suffer  any  more  cruelty. 

28  Tf  I  said  unto  him  ;  Sir, 
I  entreat  you  still  to  show  me 
now  one  thing.  What,  said  he, 
dost  thou  2  ask  ?  I  said  unto 
him  ;  Are  they  who  depart  from 
the  fear  of  God,  tormented  for 
the  same  time  that  they  enjoyed 
their  false  delight  and  pleasures  ? 
He  answered  me :  They  are  tor- 
mented for  the  same  time. 

29  And  I  said  unto  him ; 
They  are  then  tormented  hut 
little  ;  whereas  they  who  enjoy 
their  pleasures  so  as  to  forget 
God,  ought  to  endure  seven 
times  as  much  punishment. 

30  He   answered   me;    Thou 


art  foolish,  neither  understandest 
thou  the  efficacy  of  this  punish- 
ment. I  said  unto  him ;  Sir,  if  I 
understood  it,  I  would  not  desire 
you  to  tell  me. 

31  Hearken,  said  he,  and  learn 
what  the  force  of  both  is,  both 
of  the  pleasure  and  of  the  pun- 
ishment. An  hour  of  pleasure 
is  terminated  within  its  own 
space ;  but  one  hour  of  punish- 
ment has  the  efficacy  of  thirty 
days.  3  Whosoever  therefore  en- 
joys his  false  pleasure  for  one  day, 
and  is  one  day  tormented;  that 
one  day  of  punishment  is  equiva- 
lent to  a  whole  year's  space. 

32  Thus  look  how  many  days 
any  one  pursues  his  pleasures,  so 
many  years  is  he  punished  for 
it.  You  see  therefore  how  that 
the  time  of  worldly  enjoyments 
is  but  short;  but  that  of  pain 
and  torments  a  great  deal  more. 

33  I  replied  ;  Sir,  forasmuch 
as  I  do  not  understand  *  at  all 
these  times  of  pleasure  and  pain ; 
I  entreat  you  that  you  would 
explain  yourself  more  clearly 
concerning  them.  He  answered 
me,  saying ;  Thy  foolishness  still 
sticks  unto  thee. 

34  Shouldst  thou  not  rather 
purify  thy  mind,  and  serve  God  ? 
Take  heed,  lest  when  thy  time  is 
fulfilled,  thou  be  found  still  un- 
wise. Hear  then,  as  thou  de- 
sirest,  that  thou  mayest  the  more 
easily  understand. 

35  He  that  gives  himself  up 
one  day  to  his  pleasures  and  de- 
lights, and  does  whatsoever  his 
soul  desires,  is  full  of  great  folly, 
nor  understands  what  he  does, 
but  the  day  following  forgets 
what  he  did  the  day  before. 

36  For  delight  and  worldly 
pleasure  are  not  kept  in  memory, 
by   reason   of  the  folly  that   is 


*MS.  Lamb.  Succurritiis  :  Gr.  Atbanas,  avj •ivtta nova t.     2MS.    Lamb.    In-  j 
quiris.     3Origen.  in  Num.  Horn.  viii.     4MS.  Lamb.  Omnino. 

238 


The  repentant  must        SIMILITUDE  VII. 


bring  forth  fruits. 


rooted  in  them.  But  when  pain 
and  torment  befal  a  man  a  day, 
he  is  in  effect  troubled  the  whole 
year  after ;  because  his  punish- 
ment continues  firm  in  his  mem- 

37  Wherefore  he  remembers 
it  with  sorrow  the  whole  year  ; 
and  then  calls  to  mind  his  vain 
pleasure  and  delight,  and  per- 
ceives that  for  the  sake  of  that 
he  was  punished. 

38  Whosoever  therefore  have 
delivered  themselves  over  to 
such  pleasures,  are  thus  pun- 
ished ;  because  that  when  they 
had  life,  they  rendered  them- 
selves liable  to  death. 

39  I  said  unto  him  ;  Sir,  what 
pleasures  are  hurtful  ?  He  an- 
swered ;  That  is  pleasure  to 
every  man  which  he  doth  wil- 
lingly. 

40  For  the  angry  man,  grati- 
fying his  passion,  perceives  pleas- 
ure in  it;  and  so  the  adulterer 
and  drunkard ;  the  slanderer 
and  liar ;  the  covetous  man  and 
the  defraudcr ;  and  whosoever 
commits  anything  like  unto 
these,  because  he  l  followeth  his 
evil  disposition,  he  receives  a 
satisfaction  in  the  doing  of  it. 

41  All  these  pleasures  and  de- 
lights are  hurtful  to  the  servants 
of  God.  For  these  therefore 
they  are  tormented  and  suffer 
punishment. 

42  There  are  also  pleasures 
that  bring  salvation  unto  men. 
For  many,  when  they  do  what 
is  good,  find  pleasure  in  it,  and 
are  attracted  by  the  delights  of  it. 

43  Now  this  pleasure  is  prof- 
itable to  the  servants  of  God, 
and  brings  life  to  such  men  ;  but 
those  hurtful  pleasures,  which 
were  before  mentioned,  bring 
torments  and  punishment. 


44  And  whosoever  shall  oon- 
tinue  in  them,  and  shall  q01  n  • 
pent  of  what  they  have  done, 
shall  bring  death  upon  them- 
selves. 

SIMILITUDE  VII. 

That  they  who  repent,  must  briny  forth 
fruits  worthy  of  repentance. 

AFTER  a  few  days  I  saw  the 
same  person  thai  before 
talked  with  me,  in  the  Bame  field, 
in  which  I  had  seen  those  shep- 
herds. And  he  said  unto  m  ; 
What  seekest  thou  ? 

2  Sir,  said  I,  I  came  to  entreat 
you  that  you  would  command 
the  shepherd,  who  is  the  minister 
of  punishment,  to  depart  out  of 
my  house,  because  he  greatly  af- 
flicts me. 

3  And  he  answered,  It  is  ne- 
cessary for  thee  to  endure  incon- 
veniences and  vexations  ;  for  so 
that  good  angel  hath  commanded 
concerning  thee,  because  he 
would  try  thee. 

4  Sir,  said  I ;  What  so  great 
offence  have  I  committed,  that  I 
should  be  delivered  to  this  2  mes- 
senger? Hearken, said  he:  Thou 
art  indeed  guilty  of  many  sins, 
yet  not  so  many  that  thou 
shouldest  be  delivered  to  this 
2  messenger. 

5  But  thy  house  hath  com- 
mitted many  sins  and  offences, 
and  therefore  that  good  2  mes- 
senger being  grieved  at  their  do- 
ings commanded  thai  for  some 
time  thou  shouldst  suffer  afflic- 
tion ;  that  they  may  both  re- 
pent of  what  they  bave  done, 
and  may  wash  themselves  from 
all  the  lusts  of  this  present 
world. 

6  When  therefore  they  shall 
have  repented,  and  be  purified, 
then   that   messenger    which    u 


Obeyeth  his  d 


'Angel. 
^39 


Many  hinds  of  elect  III.  HERMAS.    and  of  repenting  sinners. 


appointed  over  thy  punishment, 
shall  depart  from  thee. 

7  I  said  unto  him";  Sir,  if 
they  have  behaved  themselves  so 
as  to  anger  that  good  angel,  yet 
what  have  I  done?  He  an- 
swered :  They  cannot  otherwise 
be  afflicted,  unless  thou,  who  art 
the  head  of  the  family,  suffer. 

87For  whatsoever  thou  shalt 
suffer,  they  must  needs  feel  it ; 
but  as  long  as  thou  shalt  stand 
well  established,  they  cannot  ex- 
perience any  vexation. 

9  I  replied ;  But,  sir,  behold 
they  also  now  repent  with  all 
their  hearts.  I  know,  says  he, 
that  they  repent  with  all  their 
hearts ;  but  dost  thou  therefore 
think  that  their  offences  who  re- 
pentare  immediately  blotted  out? 

10  No,  they  are  not  presently; 
but  he  that  repents  must  afflict 
his  soul  and  shew  himself  hum- 
ble in  all  his  affairs,  and  undergo 
many  and  divers  vexations. 

11  And  when  he  shall  have 
suffered  all  things  that  were  ap- 
pointed for  him ;  then  perhaps 
lie  that  made  him,  and  formed 
all  things  besides,  will  be  moved 
with  compassion  towards  him, 
and  afford  him  some  remedy ; 
and  especially  if  he  shall  per- 
ceive his  heart,  who  repents,  to 
be  pure  from  every  evil  work. 

12  But  at  present  it  is  expe- 
dient for  thee,  and  for  thy  house, 
to  be  grieved ;  and  it  is  needful 
that  thou  shouldest  endure  much 
vexation,  as  the  angel  of  the 
Lord  who  committed  thee  unto 
me,  has  commanded. 

13  Bather  give  thanks  unto 
the  Lord,  that  knowing  what 
was  to  come,  he  thought  thee 
worthy  to  whom  he  should  fore- 
tell that  trouble  was  coming  upon 
thee,  who  art  able  to  bear  it. 

14  I  said  unto  him ;  Sir,  be 
but  thou  also  with  me,  and  I 

240 


shall  easily  undergo  any  trouble. 
I  will,  said  he,  be  with  thee; 
and  I  will  entreat  the  messenger 
who  is  set  over  thy  punishment, 
that  he  would  moderate  his  af- 
flictions towards  thee. 

15  And  moreover  thou  shalt 
suffer  adversity  but  for  a  little 
time ;  and  then  thou  shalt  again 
be  restored  to  thy  former  state ; 
only  continue  on  in  the  humility 
of  thy  mind. 

16  Obey  the  Lord  with  a  pure 
heart ;  thou,  and  thy  house,  and 
thy  children ;  and  walk  in  the 
commands  which  I  have  deli- 
vered unto  thee ;  and  then  thy  re- 
pentance may  be  firm  and  pure^ 

17  And  if  thou  shalt  keep 
these  things  with  thy  house,  thy 
inconveniences  shall  depart  from 
thee. 

18  And  all  vexation  shall  in 
like  manner  depart  from  all 
those,  whosoever  shall  walk  ac- 
cording to  these  commands. 

SIMILITUDE  VIII. 

Tliat  there  are  many  kinds  of  elect,  and 
of  repenting  sinners:  and  how  all  of 
(hem  shall  receive  a  reward  propor- 
tionable to  the  measure  of  their  repent- 
ance and  good  works. 
AGAIN  he  shewed  me  a  wil- 
low which  covered  the  fields 
and  the  mountains,  under  whose 
shadow  came  all  such  as  were 
called  by  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

2  And  by  that  willow  stood 
an  angel  of  the  Lord  very  excel- 
lent and  lofty;  and  did  cut  down 
boughs  from  that  willow  with  a 
great  hook ;  and  reached  out  to 
the  people  that  were  under  the 
shadow  of  that  willow  little  rods, 
as  it  were  about  a  foot  long. 

3  And  when  all  of  them  had 
taken  them,  he  laid  aside  his 
hook,  and  the  tree  continued 
entire,  as  I  had  before  seen  it. 
At  which  I  wondered,  and  mused 
within  myself. 


Of  the  elect,and 


SIMILITUDE  VIII. 


tic  ,r   f 


4  Then  that  shepherd  said] 
unto  me ;  Forbear  to  wonder 
that  that  tree  continues  -whole, 
notwithstanding  so  many  boughs 
have  been  cut  off  from  it,  but 
stay  a  little,  for  now  it  shall  be 
shewn  thee,  what  that  angel 
means,  who  gave  those  rods  to 
the  people. 

5  So  he  again  demanded  the 
rods  of  them,  and  in  the  same 
order  that  every  one  had  received 
them,  was  he  called  to  him,  and 
restored  his  rod  ;  which  when  he 
had  received,  he  examined  them. 

6  From  some  he  received  them 
dry  and  rotten,  and  as  it  were 
touched  with  the  moth ;  those 
he  commanded  to  be  separated 
from  the  rest  and  placed  by 
themselves.  Others  gave  in  their 
rods  dry  indeed,  but  not  touched 
with  the  moth:  these  also  he 
ordered  to  be  set  by  themselves. 

7  Others  gave  in  their  rods 
half  dry ;  these  also  were  set 
apart.  Others  gave  in  their  rods 
half  dry  and  cleft;  these  too 
were  set  by  themselves.  Others 
brought  in  their  rods  half  dry 
and  half  green,  and  these  were 
in  like  manner  placed  by  them- 
selves. 

8  Others  delivered  up  their 
rods  two  parts  green,  and  the 
third  dry ;  and  they  too  were  set 
apart.  Others  brought  their 
rods  two  parts  dry,  and  the  third 
green  ;  and  were  also  placed  by 
themselves. 

9  Others  delivered  up  their 
rods  less  dry,  (for  there  was  but 
a  very  little,  to  wit,  their  tops 
dry)  but  they  had  clefts,  and 
these  were  set  in  like  manner  by 
themselves.  In  the  rods  of  others 
there  was  but  a  little  green,  and 
the  rest  dry ;  and  these  were  set 
aside  by  themselves. 

10  Others  came,  and  brought 
their  rods  green  as  they  had  re- 

16 


ceived    them,   and    the    I 

part  of  the  people  brought  their 

rods   thus;  and   the    mi 
greatly  rejoiced  at   these,  and 
they   also   were    put   apart    by 
themselves. 

11  Others  brought  in  their 
rods  not  only  green,  but  full  of 
branches;  and  these  were  Bet 
aside,  being  also  received  by  the 
angel  with  great  joy.  Others 
brought  their  rods  green  with 
branches,  and  those  also  some 
fruit  upon  them. 

12  They  who  had  such  rods, 
were  very  cheerful ;  and  the 
angel  himself  took  great  joy  at 
them;  nor  was  the  shepherd 
that  stood  with  me,  less  pleased 
with  them. 

13  If  Then  the  angel  of  the 
Lord  commanded  crowns  to  be 
brought:  and  the  crowns  were 
brought  made  of  palms;  ami  the 
angel  crowned  those  men  in 
whose  rods  he  found  the  young 
branches  with  fruit;  and  com- 
manded them  to  go  into  the 
tower. 

14  He  also  sent  those  into  the 
tower,  in  whose  rods  he  found 
branches  without  fruit,  giving  a 
seal  unto  them.  For  they  had 
the  same  garment,  that  is,  one 
white  as  snow;  with  which  he 
bade  them  go  into  the  tower. 
And  so  he  did  to  those  who  re- 
turned their  rods  green  as  he 
had  received  them;  giving  them 
a  white  garment,  and  BO  Bent 
them  away  to  go  into  the  tower. 

15  Having  done  this,  he  said 
to  the  shepherd  that  was  with 
me,  I  go  my  way;  but  do  thou 

i  send  these  within  the  walls,  every 
1  one  into  the  place  in  which  be 
ihas  deserved  to  dwell ;  exami- 
I  ning  first  their  r<.<ls,  but  examine 
I  them  diligently  that  do  one  de- 
ceive thee.  But  and  if  any  one 
I  shall  escape  thee,  I  will  I  ry  thi  m 
241 


Of  the  elect,  and 


III.  HERMAS 


their  rewards. 


upon  the   altar.     Having  said 
this  to  the  shepherd,  he  departed. 

16  After  he  was  gone,  the 
shepherd  said  unto  me :  Let  us 
take  the  rods  from  them,  and 
plant  them ;  if  perchance  they 
may  grow  green  again.  I  said 
unto  him  ;  Sir,  how  can  those 
dry  rods  ever  grow  green  again  ? 

17  He  answered  me ;  That  tree 
is  a  willow,  and  always  loves  to 
live.  If  therefore  these  rods  shall 
be  planted,  and  receive  a  little 
moisture,  many  of  them  will  re- 
cover themselves. 

18  Wherefore  I  will  try,  and 
will  pour  water  upon  them,  and 
if  any  of  them  can  live,  I  will 
rejoice  with  him ;  but  if  not,  at 
least  by  this  means  I  shall  be 
found  not  to  have  neglected  my 
part. 

19  Then  he  commanded  me 
to  call  them ;  and  they  all  came 
unto  him,  every  one  in  the  rank 
in  which  he  stood,  and  gave  him 
their  rods ;  which  having  re- 
ceived, he  planted  every  one  of 
them  in  their  several  orders. 

20  And  after  he  had  planted 
them  all,  he  poured  much  water 
upon  them,  insomuch  that  they 
were  covered  with  water,  and  did 
not  appear  above  it.  Then 
when  he  had  watered  them,  he 
said  unto  me;  Let  us  depart, 
and  after  a  little  time  we  will 
return  and  visit  them. 

21  For  he  who  created  this 
tree,  would  have  all  those  live 
that  received  rods  from  it.  And 
I  hope  now  that  these  rods  are 
thus  watered,  many  of  them  re- 
ceiving in  the  moisture,  will  re- 
cover. 

22  1  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  tell 
me  what  this  tree  denotes?  For 
I   am   greatly  1  astonished,  that 


after  so  many  branches  have 
been  cut  off,  it  seems  still  to  be 
whole ;  nor  does  there  any  thing 
the  less  of  it  appear  to  remain, 
which  greatly  amazes  me. 

23  He  answered,  Hearken. 
This  great  tree  which  covers  the 
plains  and  the  mountains,  and 
all  the  earth,  is  the  law  of  God, 
published  throughout  the  whole 
world. 

24  Now  '  this  law  is  the  Son 
of  God,  who  is  preached  to  all 
the  ends  of  the  earth.  The 
people  that  stand  under  its  sha- 
dow, are  those  which  have  heard 
his  preaching,  and  believed. 

25  The  great  and  venerable 
angel  which  you  saw,  was  Mi- 
chael, who  has  the  power  over 
his  people,  and  governs  them. 
For  he  has  planted  the  law  in 
the  hearts  of  those  who  have  be- 
lieved ;  and  therefore  he  visits 
them  to  whom  he  has  given  the 
law,  to  see  if  they  have  kept  it. 

26  And  he  examines  every 
one's  rod ;  and  of  those,  many 
that  are  weakened :  for  those 
rods  are  the  law  of  the  Lord. 
Then  he  discerns  all  those  who 
have  not  kept  the  law,  knowing 
the  place  of  every  one  of  them. 

27  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  why 
did  he  send  away  some  to  the 
tower,  and  left  others  here  to 
you  ?  He  replied,  those  who  have 
transgressed  the  law,  which  they 
received  from  him,  are  left  in 
my  power,  that  they  may  repent 
of  their  sins  :  but  they  who  3  ful- 
filled the  law  and  kept  it,  are 
under  his  power. 

28  But  who  then,  said  I,  are 
those,  who  went  into  the  tower 
crowned?  He  replied  all  such  as 
having  striven  with  the  devil, 
have  overcome  him,  are  crowned : 


'Moved.     2 MS.  Lamb.  Hsec  autem  lex  Filius   Dei   est,   prsedicatus,  &c. 
8  Satisfied. 

242 


Of  the  elect,  and 


SIMILITUDE  VIII. 


their  reward*. 


and  they  are  those,  who  have 
suffered  hard  things,  that  they 
might  keep  the  law. 

29  But  they  who  gave  up 
their  rods  green,  and  with  young 
branches,  but  without  fruit,  have 
indeed  endured  trouble  for  the 
same  law,  but  have  not  suffered 
death  ;  neither  have  they  denied 
their  holy  law. 

30  They  who  delivered  up 
their  rods  green  as  they  received 
them,  are  those  who  were  modest 
and  just,  and  have  lived  with  a 
very  pure  mind,  and  kept  the 
commandments  of  God. 

31  The  rest  thou  shalt  know, 
when  I  shall  have  considered 
those  rods  which  I  have  planted 
and  watered. 

32  ^[  After  a  few  days  we  re- 
turned, and  in  the  same  place 
stood  that  glorious  angel,  and  I 
stood  by  him,  Then  he  said 
unto  me;  Gird  thyself  with  a 
1  towel,  and  serve  me. 

33  And  I  girded  myself  with 
a  clean  towel,  which  was  made 
of  coarse  cloth.  And  when  he 
saw  me  girded,  and  ready  to 
minister  unto  him,  he  said,  Call 
those  men  whose  rods  have  been 
planted,  every  one  in  his  order 
as  he  gave  them. 

34  And  he  brought  me  into 
the  field,  and  I  called  them  all, 
and  they  all  stood  ready  in  their 
several  ranks.  Then  he  said 
unto  them ;  let  every  one  pluck 
up  his  rod,  and  bring  it  unto 
me.  And  first  they  delivered 
theirs,  whose  rods  had  been  dry 
and  rotten. 

35  And  those  whose  rods  still 
continued  so,  he  commanded  to 
stand  apart.  Then  they  came 
whose  rods  had  been  dry  but  not 
rotten.  Some  of  these  delivered 
in  their  rods  green ;  others  dry 


and  rotten,  as  if  they  bad    been 
touched  by  the  moth, 

36  Those  who  gaye  then  up 
green,  he  commanded  to  stand 
apart ;  but  those  whose  rods  w<  re 
dry  and  rotten,  he  caused  t'» 
stand  with  the  first  sort.  Thru 
came  they  whose  rods  had  been 
half  dry,  and  clei't :  many  of 
these  gave  up  their  rods  green, 
and  u  ncleft. 

37  Others  delivered  them  up 
green  with  branches,  and  fruit 
upon  the  branches,  like  unto 
those  who  went  crowned  into  the 
tower.  Others  delivered  them 
up  dry,  but  not.  rotten  ;  and  some 
gave  them  up  as  they  were  be- 
fore, half  dry,  and  cleft. 

38  Every  one  of  these  he  or- 
dered to  stand  apart ;  some  by 
themselves,  others  in  their  re- 
spective ranks. 

39  Then  came  they  whose  rods 
had  been  green,  but  cleft.  These 
delivered  their  rods  altogether 
green,  and  stood  in  their  own  or- 
der. And  the  shepherd  rejoiced 
at  these,  because  they  were  all 
changed,  and  free  from  their 
clefts. 

40  Then  they  gave  in  their 
rods,  who  had  them  half  green 
and  half  dry.  Of  these  son..' 
were  found  wholly  green,  others 
half  dry;  others  green,  with 
young  shoots.  And  all  these 
were  sent  away,  every  one  to 
his  proper  rank. 

41  Then  they  gave  up  their 
rods,  who  had  them  before  two 
parts  green,  and  the  third  dry. 
Many  of  those  gave  in  their 
rods  green  ;  many  half  dry  ;  1 1 1 » - 
rest  dry  but  not  rotten.  So 
these  were  sent  away,  each  to  his 
proper  place. 

42  Then  came  they  who  had 
before  their    rods  two    purt.s  dry 


1  Sabano.  Vid.  Edit.  Oxon.  p.  129.  not.  d. 


Of  the  elect,  and 


III.  HERMAS. 


their  rewards. 


and  the  third  green;  many  of 
these  delivered  up  their  rods 
half  dry,  others  dry  and  rotten  ; 
others  half  dry  and  cleft ;  but 
few  green.  And  all  these  were 
set  every  one  in  his   own   rank. 

43  Then  they  reached  in  their 
rods,  '  in  which  there  was  before 
but  a  little  green,  and  the  rest 
dry.  Their  rods  were  for  the 
most  part  found  green,  having 
little  boughs,  with  fruit  upon 
them,  and  the  rest  altogether 
green. 

44  And  the  shepherd  upon 
sight  of  these  rejoiced  exceed- 
ingly, because  he  had  found 
them  thus ;  and  they  also  went 
to  their  proper  orders. 

45  1  Now  after  he  had  exam- 
ined all  their  rods,  he  said  unto 
me  I  told  thee  that  this  tree  loved 
life  :  thou  seest  how  many  have 
repented,  and  attained  unto  sal- 
vation.    Sir,  said  I,  I  see  it. 

46  That  thou  mightest  know, 
saith  he,  that  the  goodness  and 
mercy  of  the  Lord  is  great,  and 
to  be  had  in  honour ;  who  gave 
his  spirit  to  them  that  were  found 
worthy  of  repentance. 

47  I  answered,  Sir,  why  then 
did  not  all  of  them  repent  ?  He 
replied,  Those  whose  minds  the 
Lord  foresaw  would  be  pure,  and 
that  they  would  serve  him  with 
all  their  hearts,  to  them  he  gave 
repentance. 

48  But  for  those  whose  deceit 
and  wickedness  he  beheld,  and 
perceived  that  they  would  not 
truly  return  unto  him ;  to  them 
he  denied  any  return  unto  re- 
pentance, lest  they  should  again 
blaspheme  his  law  with  wicked 
words. 

49  I  said  unto  him  ;  Now,  Sir, 
make  known  unto  me,  what  is  the 
place  of  every  one  of  those,  who 


have  given  up  their  rods,  and 
what  their  2  portion  ;  that  when 
they  may  have  not  kept  their 
seal  entire,  but  have  wasted  the 
seal  which  they  received,  shall 
hear  and  believe  these  things, 
they  may  acknowledge  their  evil 
deeds  and  repent ; 

50  And  receiving  again  their 
seal  from  you,  may  give  glory  to 
God,  that  he  was  moved  with 
compassion  towards  them,  and 
sent  you  to  renew  their  spirits. 

51  Hearken,  said  he :  they 
whose  rods  have  been  found  dry 
and  rotten,  and  as  it  were  touch- 
ed with  the  moth  ;  are  the  de- 
serters and  the  betrayers  of  the 
church. 

52  Who  with  the  rest  of  their 
crimes,  have  also  blasphemed  the 
Lord,  and  denied  his  name  which 
had  been  called  upon  them. 
Therefore  all  these  are  dead  unto 
God :  and  thou  seest  that  none 
of  them  have  repented,  although 
they  have  heard  my  commands 
which  thou  hast  delivered  unto 
them.  From  these  men  there- 
fore life  is  far  distant. 

53  They  also  who  have  deliv- 
ered up  their  rods  dry,  but  not 
rotten,  have  not  been  far  from 
them.  For  they  have  been 
counterfeits,  and  brought  in  evil 
doctrines  ;  and  have  perverted 
the  servants  of  God :  but  espe- 
cially those  who  had  sinned ; 
not  suffering  them  to  return 
unto  repentance,  but  keeping 
them  back  by  their  false  doctrines. 

54  These  therefore  have  hope ; 
and  thou  seest  that  many  of  them 
have  repented,  since  the  time 
that  thou  hast  laid  my  commands 
before  them ;  and  many  more 
will  yet  repent.  But  they  that 
shall  not  repent  shall  lose  both 
repentance  and  life. 


MS   Lamb.  Minimum  habuerant  viride. 

244 


'Sea. 


Of  the  elect,  and  SIMILITUDE  VIII. 


their  n  wards. 


55  But  they  that  have  repent-  j 
ed,  their  place  is  begun  to  be  ■ 
within  the  first  walls,  and  some  I 
of  them  are  even  gone  into  the 
tower.  Thou  seest  therefore, 
said  he,  that  in  the  repentance 
of  sinners  there  is  life ;  but  for 
those  who  repent  not,  death  is 
prepared. 

56  ^f  Hear  now  concerning 
those  who  gave  in  their  rods  half 
dry  and  full  of  clefts.  Those 
whose  rods  were  only  half  dry, 
are  the  doubtful ;  for  they  are 
neither  living  nor  dead. 

57  But  they  who  delivered  in 
their  rods,  not  only  half  dry  but 
also  full  of  clefts,  are  both  doubt- 
ful and  evil  speakers;  who  detract 
from  those  who  are  absent,  and 
have  never  peace  among  them- 
selves, and  that  envy  one  another. 

58  Howbeit  to  those  also  re- 
pentance is  offered  ;  for  thou 
seest  that  some  of  these  have  re- 
pented. 

59  .Now  all  those  of  this  kind 
who  have  quickly  repented,  shall 
have  a  place  in  the  tower ;  but 
they  who  have  been  more  slow 
in  their  repentance,  shall  dwell 
within  the  walls ;  but  they  that 
shall  not  repent,  but  shall  con- 
tinue on  in  their  wicked  doings, 
shall  die  the  death. 

60  As  for  those  who  had  their 
rods  green,  but  yet  cleft ;  they 
are  such  as  were  always  faithful 
and  good,  but  they  had  some  envy 
and  strife  among  themselves  con- 
cerning dignity  and  pre-emi- 
nence. 

61  Now  all  such  are  vain  and 
without  understanding,  as  con- 
tend with  one  another  about  these 
things. 

62  Nevertheless,  seeing  they 
are  otherwise  good,  if  when  they 
shall  hear  these  commands  they 


shall  amend  themselves,  and  shall 

at  my  persuasion  suddenly  re- 
pent; they  shall  at  last  dwell  in 
the  tower,  as  they  who  have  truly 
and  worthily  repented. 

63  But  if  any  one  shall  again 
return  to  his  dissension  ;  lie  shall 
be  shut  out  from  the  tower,  and 
shall  lose  his  life.  For  the  life 
of  those  who  keep  the  command- 
ments  of  the  Lord  consists  in 
doing  what  they  are  commanded  ; 
not  in  principality,  or  in  any 
other  dignity. 

64  For  by  forbearance  and 
humility  of  mind,  nun  shall 
attain  unto  life;  but  by  seditions 
and  contempt  of  the  law,  they 
shall  purchase  death  unto  thorn- 
selves. 

65  ^[  They  who  in  their  rods 
had  half  dry  and  half  green,  are 
those  who  are  engaged  in  many 
affairs  of  the  world,  and  arc  not 
joined  to  the  saints.  For  which 
cause  half  of  them  liveth,  and 
half  is  dead. 

66  Wherefore  many  of  these 
since  the  time  that  they  have 
heard  my  commands,  have  re- 
pented, and  begun  to  dwell  in 
the  tower.  But  some  of  them 
have  wholly  fallen  away  ;  to 
these  there  is  no  more  place  for 
repentance. 

67  For  by  reason  of  their 
present  interests,  they  have 
blasphemed  and  denied  God: 
and  for  this  wickedness  they 
have  lost  life.  And  of  these 
many  are  still  in  doubt;  there 
may  yet  return;  and  if  they 
shall  quickly  repent,  they  shall 
have  a  place  in  the  tower;  but 
if  they  shall  be  more  slow,  they 
shall  dwell  within  the  walls;  but 
if  they  shall  not  repent,  they 
shall  die. 

68  As  for  those  who  had  two 


Lamb.  MS.  Quamplurimis  generibus  inficiati. 


245 


Of  the  elect,  and 


III.  HERMAS. 


their  rewards. 


parts  of  their  rods  green,  and  the 
third  dry  ;  they  have  by  mani- 
fold ways  denied  the  Lord.  Of 
these  many  have  repented,  and 
found  a  place  in  the  tower :  and 
many  have  altogether  departed 
from  God.  These  have  utterly 
lost  life. 

69  And  some  being  in  a  doubt- 
ful state,  have  raised  up  dissen 
sions :  these  may  yet  return,  if 
they  shall  suddenly  repent  and 
not  continue  in  their  lusts ;  but 
if  they  shall  continue  in  their 
evil  doing  they  shall  die. 

70  T[  They  who  gave  in  their 
rods  two  parts  dry,  and  the  other 
green ;  are  those  who  have  indeed 
been  faithful,  but  withal  rich  and 
full  of  good  things ;  and  there- 
upon have  desired  to  be  famous 
among  the  heathen  which  are 
without,  and  have  thereby  fallen 
into  great  pride,  and  begun  to 
aim  at  high  matters,  and  to  for- 
sake the  truth. 

71  Nor  were  they  joined  to 
the  faints,  but  lived  with  the 
heathen ;  and  this  life  seemed 
the  more  pleasant  to  them.  How- 
beit  they  have  not  departed  from 
God,  but  continued  in  the  faith  ; 
only  they  have  not  wrought  the 
works  of  faith. 

72  Many  therefore  of  these 
have  repentel,  and  begun  to 
dwell  in  the  tower.  Yet  others 
still  living  among  the  heathen 
people,  and  being  lifted  up  with 
their  vanities,  have  utterly  fallen 
away  from  God,  and  followed  the 
works  and  wickednesses  of  the 
heathen.  These  kind  of  men 
therefore  are  reckoned  among 
strangers  to  the  Gospel. 

73  Others  of  these  began  to 
be  doubtful  in  their  minds  ;  de- 
spairing by  reason  of  their 
wicked  doings  ever  to  attain  un- 


Righteous. 


to  salvation  :  Others  being  thus 
made  doubtful,  did  moreover 
stir  up  dissensions. 

74  To  these  therefore,  and  to 
those  who  by  reason  of  their  do- 
ings are  become  doubtful,  there 
is  still  hope  of  return  ;  but  they 
must  repent  quickly,  that  their 
place  may  be  in  the  tower.  But 
they  that  repent  not,  but  con- 
tinue still  in  their  pleasures,  are 
nigh  unto  death. 

75  Tf  As  for  those  who  gave 
in  their  rods  green,  excepting 
their  tops,  which  only  were  dry, 
and  had  clefts ;  these  were  al- 
ways good,  and  faithful,  and 
1  upright  before  God  :  neverthe- 
less they  sinned  a  little,  by  rea- 
son of  their  empty  pleasures  and 
trifling  thoughts  which  they  had 
within  themselves. 

76  Wherefore  many  of  them 
when  they  heard  my  words,  re- 
pented forthwith,  and  began  to 
dwell  in  the  tower.  Neverthe- 
less some  grew  doubtful,  and 
others  to  their  doubtful  minds 
added  dissensions.  To  these 
therefore  there  is  still  hope  of 
return,  because  they  were  al- 
ways good  ;  but  they  shall  not 
hardly  be  moved. 

77  As  for  those,  lastly,  who 
gave  in  their  rods  dry,  their 
tops  only  excepted,  -which  alone 
were  green :  they  are  such  as 
have  believed  indeed  in  God, 
but  have  lived  in  wickedness  ; 
yet  without  departing  from  God : 
having  always  willingly  borne 
the  name  of  the  Lord  ;  and 
readily  received  into  their  houses 
the  servants  of  God. 

78  Wherefore  hearing  these 
things  they  returned,  and  with- 
out delay  repented,  and  lived  in 
all  righteousness.  And  some  of 
them    suffered     death :     others 

2  Probi. 


246 


Of  Vie  elect,  and  SIMILITUDE  1 X.  //„  ,>  r 


readily  underwent  many  trials, 
being  mindful  of  their  evil  do- 
ings. 

79  T[  And  when  he  had  ended 
his  explications  of  all  the  rods, 
he  said  unto  me,  Go,  and  say 
unto  all  men  that  they  repent, 
and  they  shall  live  unto  God :  be-  { 
cause  the  Lord  being  moved  with  i 
great  clemency  hath  sent  me  to  | 
preach  repentance  unto  all. 

80  Even  unto  those  who  by 
reason  of  their  evil  doings,  de- ; 
serve  not  to  attain  unto  salva- 
tion. But  the  Lord  will  be  pa- 
tient, and  keep  the  invitation 
that  was  made  by  his  Son. 

81  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  I  hope 
that  all  when  they  shall  hear 
these  things,  will  repent.  For  I 
trust  that  everyone  acknowledg- 
ing his  crimes,  and  taking  up 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  will  return 
unto  repentance. 

82  He  said  unto  me,  Whoso- 
ever shall  repent  with  all  their 
hearts,  and  cleanse  themselves 
from  all  the  evils  that  I  have 
before  mentioned,  and  not  add 
anything  more  to  their  sins,  shall 
receive  from  the  Lord  the  cure 
of  their  former  iniquities,  if  they 
shall  not  make  any  doubt  of 
these  commands,  and  shall  live 
unto  God. 

83  But  they  that  shall  con- 
tinue to  add  to  their  transgres- 
sions, and  shall  still  converse 
with  the  lusts  of  the  present 
world,  shall  condemn  themselves 
unto  death.  But  do  thou  walk 
in  these  commands,  and  whoso- 
ever shall  walk  in  these,  and  ex- 
ercise them  rightly,  shall  live 
unto  God. 

84  And  having  shewed  me  all 
these  things,  he  said ;  I  will 
shew  thee  the  rest  in  a  few  days. 


SIMILITUDE  IX. 

The  greatest  mysteries  of  the  militant 
and  triumphant  church  uhich  in  to 
be  built. 

AFTER  I  had  written  the 
Commands  and  Similitudes 
of  the  Shepherd,  the  Angel  of 
Repentance;  he  came  onto  me, 
and  said  to  me,  I  will  shew  thee 
all  those  things  which  the  'Spir- 
it spake  with  thee  under  the 
figure  of  the  Church.  Fur  that 
Spirit  is  the  Son  of  God. 

2  And  because  thou  wert 
weak  in  body,  it  was  not  declared 
unto  thee  by  the  angel,  until 
thou  wert  strengthened  by  the 
Spirit,  and  increased  in  force,  that 
thou  mightestalso  sec  the  ansel. 

3  For  then  indeed  the  build- 
ing of  the  tower  was  very  well 
and  gloriously  shewn  unto  thee 
by  the  church  ;  nevertheless  thou 
sawest  all  things  shewn  unto  thee 
as  it  were  by  a  virgin. 

4  But  now  thou  art  enlight- 
ened by  the  angel,  but  yet  by 
the  same  Spirit.  But  thou  must 
consider  all  things  diligently; 
for  therefore  am  I  sent  into  thy 
house  by  that  venerable  Messen- 
ger, that  when  thou  shalt  have 
seen  all  things  powerfully,  thou 
mayest  not  be  afraid  as  before. 

5  And  he  led  me  to  the 
8 height  of  a  mountain  in  Arca- 
dia, and  we  sat  upon  its  top. 
And  he  showed  me  a  great  plain, 
and  about  it  twelve  mountains 
in  different  figures. 

6  The  first  was  black  as  soot. 
The  second  was  smooth,  without 
herbs.  The  third  was  lull  of 
thorns  and  thistles.  The  fourth 
had  herbs  half  dried  ;  of  which 
the  upper  part  was  green,  but 
that  next  the  root  was  dry  ;  and 


1  See  above,  Book  I. 


Angel. 


3  Ascent. 


247 


Of  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


some  of  the  herbs,  when  the  sun 
grew  hot,  were  dry. 

7  The  fifth  mountain  was 
very  rugged  ;  but  yet  had  green 
herbs.  The  sixth  mountain  was 
full  of  clefts,  some  lesser,  and 
some  greater  ;  and  in  these  clefts 
grew  grass,  not  flourishing,  but 
which  seemed  to  be  withering. 

8  The  seventh  mountain  had 
delightful  pasture,  and  was 
wholly  fruitful :  and  all  kinds 
of  cattle,  and  of  the  birds  of 
heaven,  fed  upon  it ;  and  the 
more  they  fed  of  it,  the  more 
and  better  did  the  grass  grow. 

9  The  eighth  mountain  was 
full  of  fountains,  and  from  those 
fountains  were  watered  all  kinds 
of  the  creatures  of  God.  The 
ninth  mountain  had  no  water  at 
all,  but  was  wholly  destitute  of 
it;  and  nourished  deadly  ser- 
pents, and  destructive  to  men. 

10  The  tenth  mountain  was 
full  of  tall  trees,  and  altogether 
shady :  and  under  the  shade  of 
them  lay  cattle  resting  and  chew- 
ing the  cud. 

11  The  eleventh  mountain  was 
full  of  the  thickest  trees ;  and 
those  trees  seemed  to  be  loaded 
with  several  sorts  of  fruits ;  that 
whosoever  saw  them  could  not 
choose  but  desire  to  eat  of  their 
fruit. 

12  The  twelfth  mountain  was 
altogether  white,  and  of  a  most 
pleasant  aspect,  and  itself  gave 
a  most  excellent  beauty  to  itself. 

13  T  In  the  middle  of  the 
1  plain  he  showed  me  a  huge 
white  rock,  which  rose  out  of  the 
plain,  and  the  rock  was  higher 
than  those  mountains,  and  was 
square ;  so  that  it  seemed  capable 
of  supporting  the  whole  world. 

14  It  looked  to  me  to  be  old, 
yet  it  had  in  it  a  new  gate,  which 


seemed  to  have  been  newly  hewn 
out  in  it.  Now  that  gate  was 
bright  beyond  the  sun  itself;  in- 
somuch, that  I  greatly  admired 
at  its  light. 

15  About  the  gate  stood  twelve 
virgins ;  of  which  four  that  stood 
at  the  corners  of  the  gate,  seemed 
to  me  to  be  the  chiefest,  although 
the  rest  were  also  of  worth :  and 
they  stood  at  the  four  parts  of 
the  gate. 

16  It  added  also  to  the  grace 
of  those  virgins,  that  they  stood 
in  pairs,  clothed  with  linen  gar- 
ments, and  decently  girded,  their 
right  arms  being  at  liberty,  as  if 
they  were  about  to  lift  up  some 
2  burthen ;  for  so  they  were 
adorned,  and  were  exceeding 
cheerful  and  ready. 

17  When  I  saw  this,  I  won- 
dered with  myself  to  see  such 
great  and  noble  things.  And 
again  I  admired  upon  the  account 
of  those  virgins,  that  they  were 
so  handsome  and  delicate;  and 
stood  with  such  firmness  and 
constancy,  as  if  they  would  carry 
the  whole  heaven. 

18  And  as  I  was  thinking 
thus  within  myself,  the  shepherd 
said  unto  me :  What  thinkest 
thou  within  thyself,  and  art  dis- 
quieted, and  fillest  thyself  with 
care? 

19  Do  not  seem  to  consider, 
as  if  thou  wert  wise,  what  thou 
doest  not  understand,  but  pray 
unto  the  Lord,  that  thou  mayest 
have  ability  to  understand  it : 
what  is  to  come  thou  canst  not 
understand,  but  thou  seest  that 
which  is  before  thee. 

20  Be  not  therefore  disquieted 
at  those  things  which  thou  canst 
not  see  ;  but  get  the  understand- 
ing of  those  which  thou  seest. 

21  Forbear  to  be  curious ;  and 


1  Origen,  Horn.  iii.  in.  Ezech.    2  Fascem  aliquem.  Lat. 
243 


militant  and 


SIMILITUDE  IX. 


triumphant. 


I  will  shew  thee  all  things  that 
I  ought  to  declare  unto  thee ;  but 
first  consider  what  yet  remains. 

22  Tf  And  when  he  had  said 
this  unto  me  I  looked  up,  and 
behold  I  saw  six  tall  and  vene- 
rable men  coming ;  their  coun- 
tenances were  all  alike ;  and  they 
called  a  certain  multitude  of 
men ;  and  they  who  came  at 
their  call  were  also  tall  and  stout. 

23  And  those  six  commanded 
them  to  build  a  certain  tower 
over  that  gate.  And  immediately 
there  began  to  be  a  great  noise 
of  those  men  running  here  and 
there  about  the  gate,  who  were 
come  together  to  build  the  tower. 

24  But  those  virgins  which 
stood  about  the  gate  perceived 
that  the  building  of  the  toAver 
was  to  be  hastened  by  them. 
And  they  stretched  out  their 
hands,  as  if  they  were  to  receive 
somewhat  from  them  to  do. 

25  Then  those  six  men  com- 
manded, that  they  should  lift  up 
stones  out  of  a  certain  deep 
place,  and  prepare  them  for  the 
building  of  the  tower.  And 
there  were  lifted  up  ten  white 
stones,  square,  and  xnot  cut 
round. 

26  Then  those  six  men  called 
the  ten  virgins  to  them,  and 
commanded  them  to  carry  all 
the  stones  that  were  to  be  put 
into  the  building  and  having 
carried  them  through  the  gate 
to  deliver  them  to  those  that 
were  about  to  build  the  tower. 

27  Immediately  the  virgins 
began  all  of  them  together  to 
lift  up  those  stones,  that  were 
before  taken  out  of  the  deep. 

28  T[  And  they  who  also  stood 
about  the  gate  did  carry  stones 
in  such  a  manner,  that  those 
stones  which  seemed  to  be  the 


strongest  were  laid  at  the  corners, 

the  rest  were  put  into  tin-  .-id.  i. 

29  And  thus  they  carried  all 
the  stones,  and  bringing  them 
through  the  gate  deliver)  .1  them 
to  the  builders,  as  they  bad  ben  a 
commanded:  who  receiving  them 
at  their  hands,  built  with  them. 

30  But  this  building  was  made 
upon  that  great  rock,  and  over 
the  gate;  and  by  these  the  whole 
tower  was  supported.  But  the 
building  of  the  ten  stones  filled 
the  whole  gate,  which  began  to 
be  made  for  the  foundation  of 
that  tower. 

31  After  those  ten  stones  did 
five  and  twenty  others  'rise  up 
out  of  the  deep ;  and  these  were 
placed  in  the  building  of  the 
same  tower ;  being  lifted  up  by 
those  virgins,  as  the  others  had 
been  before. 

32  After  these  did  five  and 
thirty  others  2rise  up;  and  these 
were  also  in  like  manner  fitted 
into  the  same  work.  Then  forty 
other  stones  were  brought  up, 
and  all  these  were  added  unto 
the  building  of  that  tower. 

33  So  there  began  to  be  four 
ranks  in  the  foundation  of  that 
tower ;  and  the  stones  ceased  to 
2  rise  out  of  the  deep  ;  and  they 
also  which  built  rested  a  little. 

34  Again  those  six  men  com- 
manded the  multitude,  that  th<  y 
should  bring  stones  out  of  th<  Be 
twelve  mountains  to  the  building 
of  the  same  tower. 

35  So  they  cut  out  of  all  the 
mountains  stones  of  div<  I 
ours,  and  brought  them  and  gave 
them  to  the  virgins;  which  wh<  □ 
they  had  receive  d  th<  y  carrii  d 
them,  and  delivered  tnem  into 
the  building  of  the  tower, 

36  In  which  when  they  were 
built   they   became    white,   and 


1  So  Cotelerius  in  loc. 


aMS.  Lamb.  Ajcenderunt 
249 


Of  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


different  from  what  they  were 
before ;  for  they  were  all  alike, 
and  did  change  their  former 
colours.  And  some  were  reached 
up  by  the  men  themselves,  which 
when  they  came  into  the  build- 
ing, continued  such  as  they  were 
put  in. 

37  These  neither  became  white, 
nor  different  from  what  they 
were  before ;  because  they  were 
not  carried  by  the  virgins  through 
the  gate.  Wherefore  these  stones 
were  disagreeable  in  the  build- 
ing :  which,  when  those  six  men 
perceived,  they  commanded  them 
to  be  removed,  and  put  again  in 
the  place  from  which  they  were 
brought. 

38  And  they  said  to  those  who 
brought  those  stones ;  Do  not  ye 
reach  up  to  us  any  stones  for 
this  building,  but  lay  them  down 
by  the  tower,  and  these  virgins 
may  carry  them  and  reach  them 
to  us. 

39  For  unless  they  shall  be 
carried  by  these  virgins  through 
this  gate,  they  cannot  change, 
their  colours;  therefore  do  not 
labour  in  vain. 

40  f  So  the  building  that  day 
was  done,  howbeit  the  tower  was 
not  finished;  for  it  was  after- 
wards to  be  built,  therefore  now 
also  there  was  some  delay  made 
of  it. 

41  And  these  six  men  com- 
manded those  that  built  to  depart, 
and  as  it  were  to  rest  for  some 
time ;  but  they  ordered  those  vir- 
gins that  they  should  not  depart 
from  the  tower ;  now  they  seem- 
ed to  me  to  be  left  for  the  guard- 
ing of  it. 

42  When  all  were  departed,  I 
said  unto  that  shepherd;  Sir, 
why  is  not  the  building  of  the 
tower  finished?  Because  it  can- 
not, said  he,  be  finished  until  its 
Lord  comes,  and  approves  of  the 

250 


building ;  that  if  he  shall  find 
any  stones  in  it  that  are  not 
good  they  may  be  changed  ;  for 
this  tower  is  built  according  to 
his  will. 

43  Sir,  said  I,  I  would  know 
what  the  building  of  this  tower 
signifies  ;  as  also  I  would  be  in- 
formed concerning  this  rock,  and 
this  gate. 

44  And  concerning  the  moun- 
tains, and  the  virgins,  and  the 
stones  that  did  rise  out  of  the 
deep,  and  were  not  cut,  but  put 
into  the  building  just  as  they 
came  forth ;  and  why  the  ten 
stones  were  first  laid  in  the 
foundation ;  then  the  twenty-five ; 
then  thirty-five ;  then  forty  ? 

45  Also  concerning  these 
stones  that  were  put  into  the 
building,  and  again  taken  out, 
and  carried  back  into  their 
place?  Fulfil,  I  pray,  the  de- 
sire of  my  soul  as  to  all  these 
things  and  manifest  all  unto 
me. 

46  And  he  said  unto  me  ;  If 
thou  shalt  not  be  dull,  thou  shalt 
know  all,  and  shalt  see  all  the 
other  things  that  are  about  to 
happen  in  this  tower  ;  and  shalt 
understand  diligently  all  these 
similitudes. 

47  And  after  a  few  days  we 
came  into  the  same  place  where 
we  had  sat  before  ;  and  he  said 
unto  me,  Let  us  go  unto  the 
tower ;  for  the  Lord  of  it  will 
come  and  examine  it. 

48  So  we  came  thither,  and 
found  none  but  those  virgins 
there.  And  he  asked  them 
whether  the  Lord  of  that  tower 
was  come  thither  ?  And  they 
replied,  that  he  would  be  there 
presently  to  examine  the  build- 
ing. 

49  t  After  a  very  little  while 
I  saw  a  great  multitude  of  men 
coming,  and   in   the  middle  of 


ilitant 


SIMILITUDE  IX. 


■ 


them  a  man  so  tall,  that  he  sur- 
passed the  tower  in  1  height. 

50  About  him  were  those  six, 
who  before  commanded  in  the 
building,  and  all  the  rest  of  those 
who  had  built  that  tower,  and 
many  others  of  great  dignity  : 
and  the  virgins  that  kept  the 
tower  ran  to  meet  him, and  kissed 
him,  and  began  to  walk  near 
unto  him. 

51  But  he  examined  the  build- 
ing with  so  much  care  that  he 
handled  every  stone ;  and  struck 
every  one  with  a  rod  which  he 
held  in  his  hand  : 

52  Of  which  some  being  so 
struck  turned  black  as  soot ; 
others  were  rough  ;  some  looked 
as  if  they  had  cracks  in  them  ; 
others  seemed  maimed :  some 
neither  black  nor  white  ;  some 
looked  sharp,  and  agreed  not 
with  the  other  stones,  and  others 
were  full  of  spots. 

53  These  were  the  several 
kinds  of  those  stones  which  were 
not  found  proper  in  the  build- 
ing ;  all  which  the  Lord  com- 
manded to  be  taken  out  of  the 
tower,  and  laid  near  it,  and  other 
stones  to  be  brought  and  put  in 
their  places. 

54  And  they  that  built,  asked 
him  from  which  of  the  moun- 
tains he  would  have  stones 
brought  to  put  in  the  place  of 
those  that  were  laid  aside.  But 
he  forbad  them  to  bring  any 
from  the  mountains,  and  com- 
manded that  they  should  take 
out  of  a  certain  field  that  was 
near. 

55  So  they  digged  in  the  field, 
and  found  many  bright  square 
stones,  and'  some  also  that  were 
round.  Howbeit,  all  that  were 
found  in  that  field  were  taken 
away,  and  carried  through  the 


gate  by  those  virgins ;  and  thi  te 
of  them  that  w«  re  Bquare  wi  re 
fitted  and  put  into  the  pis 

those  that  were  pulled  out. 

5G  But  the  round  ones  were 
not  put  into  the  building, because 
they  were  hard,  and  it  would 
have  required  too  much  time  to 
cut  them  ;  but  they  were  plao  d 
about  the  tower,  as  if  they  should 
hereafter  be  cut  square,  and  put 
into  the  building  ;  for  they  were 
very  white. 

57  ^f  When  he  who  was  chief 
in  dignity,  and  lord  of  the  whole 
tower  saw  this,  he  called  to  him 
the  shepherd  that  was  with  me 
and  gave  him  the  stones  that 
were  rejected  and  laid  about  the 
tower  and  said  unto  him ;  cleanse 
these  stones  with  all  care,  and 
fit  them  into  the  building  of  the 
tower,  that  they  may  agree  with 
the  rest ;  but  those  that  will  not 
suit  with  the  rest,  cast  away  afar 
off  from  the  tower. 

58  When  he  had  thus  com- 
manded him,  he  departed,  with 
all  those  that  came  with  him  to 
the  tower:  but  those  virgins  still 
stood  about  the  tower  to  keep  it. 

59  And  I  said  unto  that  .-hep- 
herd,  How  can  these  stones,  see- 
ing they  have  been  rejected,  re- 
turn into  the  building  of  this 
tower?  He  replied;  I  will  cut 
off  the  greatest  part  from  these 
stones,  and  will  add  them  to  t he- 
building,  and  they  will  agree 
with  the  rest. 

60  And  I  said,  Sir,  how  will 
they  be  able  to  fill  the  same 
place,  when  they  shall  be  so 
much  cutaway?  Heanswered  ; 
They  that  shall  be  found  too  lit- 
tle shall  be  put  into  the  middle 
of  the  building,  and  the  gn  iter 
shall  be  placed  without,  and  keep 
them  in. 


1  Greatness. 


Of  tlte  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


When   he   had   said   thus 
me.  he  added ;  Let  us  go, 


61 
unto 

and  after  three  days  we  will  re 
turn,  and  I  will  put  these  stones, 
being  cleansed,  into  the  tower. 

62  For  all  these  that  are 
about  the  tower  must  be  cleansed, 
lest  the  master  of  the  house 
chance  to  come  upon  the  sudden, 
and  find  those  which  are  about 
the  tower  unclean  ;  x  and  be  so 
exasperated,  that  these  stones 
should  never  be  put  into  the  build- 
ing of  this  tower,  and  I  shall  be 
looked  upon  to  have  been  2  un- 
mindful of  my  master's  com- 
mands. 

63  When  therefore  we  came 
after  three  days  to  the  tower,  he 
said  unto  me ;  Let  us  examine 
all  these  stones,  and  let  us  see 
which  of  them  may  go  into  the 
building.  I  answered,  Sir,  let 
us  see. 

64  \  And  first  of  all  we  be- 
gun to  consider  those  which  had 
been  black  ;  for  they  were  found 
just  such  as  they  were  when  they 


67  These  were  placed  without 
because  they  were  found  entire ; 
but  the  residue  through  the  mul- 
titude of  their  cracks  could  not 
be  reformed,  and  therefore  were 
cast  away  from  the  building  of 
the  tower. 

68  Then  he  considered  those 
that  had  been  maimed  ;  many  of 
these  had  cracks,  and  were  be- 
come black;  others  were  large 
clefts;  these  he  commanded  to 
be  placed  with  those  that  were 
rejected. 

69  But  the  rest  being  cleansed 
and  reformed,  he  commanded  to 
be  put  in  the  building.  These 
therefore  those  virgins  took  up 
and  fitted  into  the  middle  of  the 
building,  because  they  were  but 
weak. 

70  After  these  he  examined 
those  which  were  found  half 
white  and  half  black ;  and  many 
of  those  were  now  black ;  these 
also  he  ordered  to  be  laid  among 
those  that  were  cast  away. 

71  The  rest  were  found  alto- 


were   pulled   out  of  the  tower:  gether  white;  those  were  H 
wherefore  he  commanded  them  '  up  by  the  virgins,  and  fitted  into 
to  be  remove   frnm    +1^  +~™-  *ifL  JL ^      °     i      ,    .      a  mt0 


to  be  removed  from   the  tower 
and  put  by  themselves. 

65  Then  he  examined  those 
which  had  been  rough;  and 
commanded  many  of  those  to  be 
cut  round,  and  to  be  fitted  by 
the  virgins  into  the  building  of 
the  tower;  so  they  took  them, 
and  fitted  them  into  the  middle 
of  the  building ;  and  he  com- 
manded the  rest  to  be  laid  by 
with  the  black  ones,  for  they 
also  were  become  black. 

66  Next  he  considered  those 
which  were  full  of  cracks,  and 
many  of  those  also  he  ordered 
to  be  pared  away,  and  so  to  be 
added  to  the  rest  of  the  build- 
ing, by  the  same  virgins. 


the  same  tower:  3  and  these  were 
put  in  the  outside,  because  they 
were  found  entire ;  that  so  they 
might  keep  in  those  that  were 
placed  in  the  middle,  for  nothing 
was  cut  off  from  them. 

72  Next  he  looked  upon  those 
*  which  had  been  hard  and  sharp ; 
but  few  of  these  were  made  use 
of,  because  they  could  not  be  cut, 
for  they  were  found  very  hard  : 
but  the  rest  were  formed,  and 
fitted  by  the  virgins  into  the 
middle  of  the  building,  because 
they  were  more  weak. 

73  Then  he  considered  those 
which  had  spots;  of  these  a  few 
were  found  black,  and  these  were 
carried  to  their  fellows.  The  rest 


•x^fiBff^^^^^aaaffi^ 


militant 


SIMILITUDE  IX.  aud  triumphant. 


■were  white  and  entire ;  and  they 
were  fitted  by  the  virgins  into  the 
building,  and  placed  in  the  out- 
side, by  reason  of  their  strength. 

74  f  After  this  he  came  to 
consider  those  stones  which  were 
white  and  round:  and  he  said 
unto  me,  What  shall  we  do  with 
these  stones  ?  I  answered,  Sir,  1 
cannot  tell. 

75  He  replied,  Canst  thou 
think  of  nothing  then  for  these  ? 
I  answered,  Sir,  I  understand 
not  this  art  j  neither  am  I  a 
stone-cutter,  nor  can  I  tell  any 
thing. 

76  And  he  said,  seest  thou 
not  that  they  are  very  round  ? 
Now  to  make  them  square,  I 
must  cut  off  a  great  deal  from 
them ;  howbeit,  it  is  necessary 
that  some  of  these  should  go  into 
the  building  of  the  tower. 

77  I  answered  ;  If  it  be  neces- 
sary, why  do  you  perplex  your- 
self, and  not  rather  choose,  if  you 
have  any  choice  among  them, 
and  fit   them  into  the   building. 

78  Upon  this  he  chose  out  the 
largest  and  brightest,  and 
squared  them ;  which  when  he  had 
done  the  virgins  took  them  up, 
and  placed  them  in  the  outside 
of  the  building. 

79  And  the  rest  that  re- 
mained were  carried  back  into 
the  same  field  from  which  they 
were  taken  ;  howbeit,  they  were 
not  cast  away;  because,  said  he, 
there  is  not  yet  a  little  wanting 
to  this  tower,  which  is  to  be  built; 
and  perhaps  the  Lord  will  have 
these  stones  fitted  into  this  build- 
ing, because  they  are  exceeding 
white. 

80  Then  were  there  called 
twelve  very  stately  women, 
clothed  with  a  black  garment, 
girded,  and  their  shoulders  free, 


and  their  hair  loose.  These 
seemed  to  me  to  be  country  wo- 
men. 

81  And  the  shepherd  com- 
manded them  to  take  lip  those 
stones  which  werecasl  out  of  the 
building,  and  carry  them  back  to 
the  mountains  out  of  which  tiny 
were  taken. 

82  And  they  took  them  all  up 
joyfully,  and  carried  them  back 
to  their  places  from  whence  tie  v 
had  been  taken. 

83  When  not  one  stone  re- 
mained about  the  tower,  he  said 
unto  me,  Let  us  go  about  this 
tower,  and  see  whether  any  thing 
be  wanting  to  it. 

84  We  began  therefore  to  go 
round  about  it ;  and  when  he  saw 
that  it  was  handsomely  built,  he 
began  to  be  very  glad  ;  for  it 
was  so  beautifully  framed,  that 
any  one  that  had  seen  it  must 
have  been  in  love  with  the  build- 
ing: 

85  For  it  seemed  to  be  all  but 
one  stone,  nor  did  a  joint  any- 
where appear ;  but  it  looked  as 
if  it  had  all  been  cut  out  of  one 
rock. 

86  ^f  And  when  I  diligently 
considered  what  a  town-  it  was, 
I  was  extremely  pleased  :  and  he 
said  unto  me,  Bring  hither  some 
lime  and  little  shells,  that  I  may 
fill  up  the  '  spaces  of  those  stones 
that  were  taken  out  of  the  build- 
ing, and  put  in  again;  for  all 
things  about  the  tower  must  be 
made  even. 

87  And  I  did  as  he  command- 
ed me,  and  he  said  unto  me,  Be 
ready  to  help  me,  and  thi-  work 
will  quickly  he  finished. 

88  He  therefore  filled  up  the 
spaces  of  those  stones,  and  com- 
manded the  place  about  the 
tower  to  be  cleansed. 


Formas.  Lat. 


253 


Gf  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


89  Then  those  virgins  took 
besoms,  and  cleansed  all  the  place 
around  and  took  away  all  the  rub- 
bish, and  threw  water  on  ;  which 
being  done,  the  place  became  de- 
lightful, and  the  tower  beauteous. 

90  Then  he  said  unto  me,  All 
is  now  clean  :  if  the  Lord  should 
come  to  finish  the  tower,  he  will 
find  nothing  whereby  to  com- 
plain of  us. 

91  When  he  had  said  this  he 
would  have  departed.  But  I 
laid  hold  on  his  bag,  and  began 
to  entreat  him  for  the  Lord's 
sake,  that  he  would  explain  to 
me  all  things  that  he  had  shown 
me. 

92  He  said  unto  me,  I  have 
at  present  a  little  business  ;  but 
I  will  suddenly  explain  all  things 
unto  thee.  Tarry  here  for  me 
till  I  come. 

93  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  what 
shall  I  do  here  alone?  He  an- 
swered, Thou  art  not  alone,  see- 
ing all  these  virgins  are  with 
thee. 

94  I  said,  Sir,  deliver  me  then 
unto  them.  Then  he  called  them 
and  said  unto  them,  I  commend 
this  man  unto  you  until  I  shall 
come. 

95  So  I  remained  with  those 
virgins :  now  they  were  cheerful 
and  courteous  unto  me ;  especial- 
ly the  four,  which  seemed  to  be 
the  chiefest  among  them. 

96  ^[  Then  those  virgins  said 
unto  me,  that  shepherd  will  not 
return  hither  to  day.  I  said 
unto  them,  What  then  shall  I 
do?  They  answered,  Tarry  for 
him  till  the  evening,  if  perhaps 
he  may  come  and  speak  with 
thee ;  but  if  not,  yet  thou  shalt 
continue  with  us  till  he  does 
come. 

97  I  said  unto  them.  I  will 
tarry  for  him  till  evening ;  but  if 
he  comes  not  by  that  time,  I  will 

254 


go  home,  and  return  hither  again 
the  next  morning. 

98  They  answered  me,  Thou 
art  delivered  unto  us,  thou  may  est 
not  depart  from  us.  I  said,  Where 
shall  I  tarry  ? 

99  They  replied,  Thou  shalt 
sleep  with  us  as  a  brother,  not 
as  a  husband :  for  thou  art  our 
brother,  and  we  are  ready  from 
henceforth  to  dwell  with  thee  ; 
for  thou  art  very  dear  to  us. 

100  Howbeit  I  was  ashamed 
to  continue  with  them.  But  she 
that  seemed  to  be  the  chiefest 
amongst  them,  embraced  me,  and 
began  to  kiss  me.  And  the  rest 
when  they  saw  that  I  was  kissed 
by  her,  began  also  to  kiss  me  as 
a  brother  ;  and  led  me  about  the 
tower,  and  played  with  me. 

101  Some  of  them  also  sung 
psalms,  others  made  up  the 
chorus  with  them.  But  I  walked 
aboutthe  tower  with  them,  rejoic- 
ing silently,  and  seeming  to 
myself  to  be  grown  young 
again. 

102  When  the  evening  came 
on,  I  would  forthwith  have  gone 
home,  but  they  withheld  me,  and 
suffered  me  not  todepart.  Where- 
fore I  continued  with  them  that 
night  near  the  same  tower. 

103  So  they  spread  their  linen 
garments  upon  the  ground  ;  and 
placed  me  in  the  middle,  nor  did 
they  anything  else,  only  they 
prayed. 

104  I  also  prayed  with  them 
without  ceasing,  nor  less  than 
they.  Who  when  they  saw  me 
pray  in  that  manner,  rejoiced 
greatlv ;  and  I  continued  there 
with  them  till  the  next  day. 

105  And  when  we  had  wor- 
shipped God,  then  the  shepherd 
came  and  said  unto  them :  You 
have  done  no  injury  to  this  man. 
They  answered,  Ask  him.  I  said 
unto  him,  Sir,  I  have  received  a 


militant 


SIMILITUDE  IX.  md  (rtiimpfcmt 


great  deal  of  satisfaction  in  that 
I  have  remained  with  them. 

106  And  he  said  unto  me,  How 
didst  thou  sup  ?  I  answered,  Sir, 
I  feasted  the  whole  night  upon 
the  words  of  the  Lord.  They 
received  thee  well  then,  said  he ; 
I  said,  Sir,  very  well. 

107  He  answered,  Wilt  thou 
now  learn  what  thou  didst  desire? 
I  replied,  Sir,  I  will:  and  first  I 
pray  thee  that  thou  shouldest 
shew  me  all  things  in  the  order 
that  I  asked  them. 

108  He  answered,  I  will  do  all 
as  thou  wouldst  have  me,  nor  will 
I  hide  anything  from  thee. 

109  t  First  of  all,  Sir,  said  I, 
tell  me,  what  this  rock,  and  this 
gate  denote  ?  Hearken,  said  he ; 
this  rock,  and  this  gate,  are  the 
Son  of  God.  I  replied,  Sir,  how 
can  that  be;  seeing  therockis  old, 
but  the  gate  new. 

110  Hear,  said  he,  O  foolish 
man !  and  understand.  The  Son 
of  God  is  indeed  more  ancient 
than  any  creature  ;  1  insomuch 
that  he  was  in  council  with  his 
Father  at  the  creation  of '  all 
things. 

111  But  the  gate  is  therefore 
new,  because  he  appeared  in  the 
last  days  in  the  fulness  of  time ; 
that  they  who  shall  attain  unto 
salvation,  may  by  it  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  God. 

112  You  have  seen,  said  he, 
those  stones  which  were  carried 
through  the  gate,  how  they  were 
placed  in  the  building  of  the 
tower;  but  that  those  which  were 
not  carried  through  the  gate, 
were  sent  away  into  their  own 
places  ? 

113  I  answered,  Sir,  I  saw  it. 
Thus,  said  he,  no  man  shall  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God,  but  he 
who  shall  take  upon  him  the 
name  of  the  Son  of  God. 

1  Ita  ut.  Lat.- 


114  For  If  you  would  ent  r 

into  any  city, ami  that  city  Bhould 
be  encompassed  with  a  wall,  and 
had  only  one  gate,  could  you 
enter  into  that  city  except  by 
that  gate? 

115  I  answered,  Sir,  how  could 
Idootherwi.se?  As  therefore,  said 
he,  there  would  be  no  other  way 
of  entering  into  that  city  but  by 
its  gate,  so  neither  can  any  one 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God, 
but  only  by  the  name  of  his  Son, 
who  is  most  dear  unto  him. 

116  And  he  said  unto  me, 
Didst  thou  see  the  multitude  of 
those  that  built  that  tower  ?  Sir, 
said  I,  I  saw  it.  He  answ<  r<  d, 
All  those  arc  the  angels,  vener- 
able in  their  dignity. 

117  With  those  is  the  Lord 
encompassed  as  with  a  wall :  but 
the  gate  is  the  Son  of  God,  who 
is  the  only  way  of  coming  unto 
God.  For  no  man  shall  go  to 
God,  but  by  his  Son. 

118  Thou  sawest  also,  said  he, 
the  six  men,  and  in  the  middle 
of  them  that  venerable  great 
man,  who  walked  about  the 
tower,  and  rejected  the  stones 
out  of  the  tower? 

119  Sir,  said  I,  I  saw  them. 
He  answered,  that  tall  man  was 
the  Son  of  God:  and  those  six 
were  his  angels  of  most  eminent 
dignity,  which  stand  about  him 
on  the  right  hand  and  on  the 
left. 

120  Of  these  excellent  angels 
none  comes  in  unto  God  without 
him.  He  added,  Whosoever 
therefore  shall  not  take  upon 
him  his  name,  he  shall  not  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God. 

121  1  Then  I  said.  What  H 
this  tower?  This,  said  be,ii  the 
church.  And  what,  Sir,  are 
these  virgins?  He  said  unto  me, 
These  are  the  holy  Bpirits,for  no 


3 The  creatures. 


256 


Of  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


man  can  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  God,  except  these  clothe  him 
with  their  garment. 

122  For  it  will  avail  thee 
nothiDg  to  take  up  the  name  of 
the  Son  of  God,  unless  thou  shalt 
also  receive  their  garment  from 
them.  For  these  virgins  are  the 
powers  of  the  Son  of  God.  .  So 
shall  a  man  in  vain  bear  his 
name,  unless  he  shall  be  also  en- 
dued with  his  powers. 

123  And  he  said  unto  me, 
sawest  thou  those  stones  that 
were  cast  away?  They  bore  in- 
deed the  name,  but  put  not  on 
their  garment.  I  said,  Sir,  what 
is  their  garment  ?  1  Their  very 
names,  said  he,  are  their  garment. 

124  Therefore  whosoever  bear- 
eth  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God, 
ought  to  bear  their  names  also ; 
for  the  Son  of  God  also  himself 
beareth  their  names. 

125  As  for  those  stones,  con- 
tinued he,  which  being  delivered 
by  their  hands,  thou  sawest  re- 
main in  the  building,  they  were 
clothed  with  their  power  ;  for 
which  cause  thou  seest  the  whole 
tower  of  the  same  2  colour  with 
the  rock,  and  made  as  it  were  of 
one  stone. 

126  So  also  those  who  have 
believed  in  God  by  his  Son,  have 
put  on  his  spirit.  Behold  there 
shall  be  one  spirit,  and  one  body, 
and  one  colour  of  their  garments ; 
and  all  they  shall  attain  this, 
who  shall  bear  the  names  of  these 
virgins. 

127  And  I  said,  Sir,  why  then 
were  those  stones  cast  away  which 
were  rejected,  seeing  they  also 
were  carried  through  the  gate, 
and  delivered  by  the  hands  of 
these  virgins  into  the  building  of 
this  tower  ? 


128  Seeing,  said  he,'thou  takest 
care  to  inquire  diligently  into 
all  things,  hear  also  concerning 
those  stones  which  were  rejected. 
All  these  received  the  name  of 
the  Son  of  God,  and  with  that 
the  power  of  these  virgins. 

129  Having  therefore  received 
these  spirits,  they  were  perfect- 
ed, and  brought  into  the  number 
of  the  servants  of  God  ;  and 
they  began  to  be  one  body,  and 
to  have  one  garment,  for  they 
were  3  endued  with  the  same 
righteousness,  which  they  alike 
exercised. 

130  But  after  that  they  be- 
held those  women  which  thou 
sawest  clothed  with  a  black  gar- 
ment, with  their  shoulders  at 
liberty  and  their  hair  loose ; 
they  fixed  their  desires  upon 
them,  being  tempted  with  their 
beauty ;  and  were  clothed  with 
their  power,  and  cast  off  the 
clothing  of  the  virgins : 

131  Therefore  were  they  cast 
off  from  the  house  of  God,  and 
delivered  to  those  women.  But 
they  that  were  not  corrupted 
with  their  beauty,  remained  in 
the  house  of  God.  This,  said 
he,  is  the  signification  of  those 
stones  which  were  rejected. 

132  1  And  I  said,  Sir,  what 
if  any  of  these  men  shall  repent, 
and  cast  away  their  desire  of 
those  women,  and  be  converted, 
and  return  to  these  virgins,  and 
put  on  again  their  virtue  ;  shall 
they  not  enter  into  the  house  of 
God? 

133  They  shall  enter,  said  he, 
if  they  shall  lay  aside  all  the 
works  of  those  women,  and  shall 
resume  the  power  of  these  virgins, 
and  shall  walk  in  their  works. 

134  And  for  this  cause  there 

1  Vid.  Annot.  Edit.  Oxon.  p.  116,  d.  2  Vid.  Origen.  Philocal.  c  viii. 

3Sentiebant  Eequitatem,  Lat.  from  the  Greek  stppovow:  but  the  true  reading 
of  Hennas  seemeth  to  have  been  o<popovv. 
256 


SIT?) 


militant 


SIMILITUDE  IX. 


and  triumphant. 


is  a  stop  in  the  building,  that  if) 
they  shall  repent,  they  may  be ' 
added  to  the  building  of  this 
tower ;  but  if  they  shall  not  re- 
pent, that  others  may  be  built 
in  their  places,  and  so  they  may 
be  utterly  cast  away. 

135  For  all  these  things  I 
gave  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  that 
being  moved  with  mercy  towards 
all  those  upon  whom  his  name  is 
called,  he  sent  to  us  the  angel  of 
repentance  to  preside  over  us 
who  have  sinned  against  him ; 
and  that  he  has  refreshed  our  spir- 
its which  were  almost  gone,  and 
who  had  no  hope  of  salvation, 
but  are  now  refreshed  to  the  re- 
newal of  life. 

136  Then  I  said,  Shew  me 
now,  Sir,  why  this  tower  is  not 
built  upon  the  ground,  but  upon 
a  rock,  and  upon  the  gate  ?  He 
replied,  thou  art  foolish,  and 
without  understanding,  therefore 
thou  asketh  this. 

137  And  I  said,  Sir,  I  must 
needs  ask  all  things  of  you,  be- 
cause I  understand  nothing  at 
all.  For  all  your  answers  are 
great  and  excellent ;  and  which 
a  man  can  hardly  understand. 

138  Hear,  said  he  :  The  name 
of  the  Son  of  God  is  great  and 
without  bounds,  and  the  whole 
world  is  supported  by  it.  If 
therefore,  said  I,  every  creature 
of  God  be  sustained  by  his  Son, 
why  should  he  not  support  those 
also  who  have  been  invited  by 
him,  and  who  carry  his  name, 
and  walk  in  his  commandments  ? 

139  Seest  thou  not,  said  he, 
that  he  doth  support  them,  who 
with  all  their  heart  bear  his 
name  ?  He  therefore  is  their 
foundation,  and  gladly  supports 
those  who  do  not  deny  his  name, 
but  willingly  bear  it. 


140  1  And  I  said :  Sir,  tell  me 
the  names  of  these  virgins  ;  and 
of  those  women  that  frere  clothed 

with  the  black  garment. 

141  Hear,  said  he,  the  names 
of  those  virgins  which  arc  the 
more  powerful,  and  stand  at  the 
comers  of  the  gate.  The-,'  are 
their  names : 

142  The  first  is  called1  Faith; 
the  second  Continence  ;  the  third, 
Power;  the  fourth,  Patience;  the 
rest  which  stand  beneath  these 
are,  Simplicity,  Innocence,  Chas- 
tity, Cheerfulness,  Truth,  Dndl  r- 
standing,  Concord,  Charity. 

143  Whosoever  therefore  bear 
these  names,  and  the  names  of 
the  Son  of  God,  shall  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  God. 

144  Hear  now,  said  he,  the 
names  of  those  women,  which 
were  clothed  with  the  black  gar- 
ment. Of  these,  four  are  the 
principal :  the  first  is  Pcrfidious- 
ness  ;  the  second,  Incontinence  ; 
the  third,  Infidelity  ;  the  fourth, 
Pleasure. 

145  And  the  rest  which  fol- 
low are  called  thus,  Sadness, 
Malice,  Lust,  Anger,  Lying, 
Foolishness,  Pride,  and  Hatred. 
The  servant  of  God,  which  car- 
ries these  spirits, shall  see  indeed 
the  kingdom  of  God,  but  he 
shall  not  enter  into  it. 

146  But,  Sir,  what  are  those 
stones  which  were  taken  out  of 
the  deep  and  fitted  into  the 
building  ?  The  ten,  Baid  he, 
which  were  placed  at  the  founda- 
tion, are  the  first  age ;  the  fol- 
lowing five  and-twenty,  the  sec- 
ond, of  righteous  men. 

147  The  next  thirty-five,  are 
the  prophets  and  minisfo  rs  of 
the  Lord.  And  the  forty,  are 
the  Apostles  and  doctors  of  the 
preaching  of  the  Son  of  God. 


17 


Origin.  Horn.  13,  in  Ezek. 


257 


Of  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


148  And  I  said,  Sir,  why  did 
the  virgins  put  even  those  stones 
into  the  building  after  they  were 
carried  through  the  gate  ?  And 
he  said,  Because  these  first  car- 
ried those  spirits,  and  they  de- 
parted not  one  from  the  one, 
neither  the  men  from  the  spirits, 
nor  the  spirits  from  the  men  : 

149  But  the  spirits  were  joined 
to  those  men  even  to  the  day  of 
their  death  ;  who  if  they  had  not 
had  these  spirits  with  them,  they 
could  not  have  been  useful  to 
the  building  of  this  tower. 

150  And  I  said,  Sir,  shew  me 
this  farther.  He  answered,  What 
dost  thou  ask  ?  Why  did  these 
stones  come  out  of  the  deep,  and 
were  placed  into  the  building  of 
this  tower,  seeing  that  they  long 
ago  carried  those  1  holy  spirits. 

151  JIt  was  necessary,  said 
he,  for  them  to  ascend  by  water, 
that  they  might  be  at  rest.  For 
they  could  not  otherwise  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God,  but 
by  laying  aside  the  mortality  of 
their  former  life. 

152  They  therefore  being  dead, 
were  nevertheless  sealed  with 
the  seal  of  the  Son  of  God,  and 
so  entered  into  the  kingdom  of 
God. 

153  For  before  a  man  receives 
the  name  of  the  Son  of  God,  he 
is  ordained  unto  death  ;  but 
when  he  receives  that  seal,  he  is 
freed  from  death,  and  3  assigned 
unto  life. 

154  Now  that  seal  is  the  water 
of  baptism,  into  which  men  go 
down  under  the  obligation  unto 
death,  but  come  up  appointed 
unto  life. 

155  Wherefore  to  those  also 
was  this  seal  4  preached,  and  they 


made  use  of  it,  that  they  might 
enter  the  kingdom  of  God. 

156  And  I  said,  Why  then,  sir, 
did  these  forty  stones  also  ascend 
with  them  out  of  the  deep,  hav- 
ing already  received  that  seal  ? 

157  He  answered,  5  Because 
these  Apostles  and  teachers,  who 
preached  the  name  of  the  Son  of 
God,  dying  after  they  had  re- 
ceived his  faith  and  power, 
preached  to  them  who  were  dead 
before ;  and  they  gave  this  seal 
to  them. 

158  They  went  down  therefore 
into  the  water  with  them,  and 
again  came  up.  But  these  went 
down  whilst  they  were  alive,  and 
came  up  again  alive :  whereas 
those  who  were  before  dead,  went 
down  dead,  but  came  up  alive  ; 

159  Through  these  therefore 
they  received  life,  and  knew  the 
Son  of  God :  for  which  cause 
they  came  up  with  them,  and 
were  fit  to  come  into  the  build- 
ing of  the  tower ;  and  were  not 
cut,  but  put  in  entire  ;  because 
they  died  in  righteousness,  and 
in  great  purity;  only  this  seal 
was  wanting  to  them. 

160  Thus  you  have  the  expli- 
cation of  these  things. 

161  ^[  I  answered :  Sir,  tell 
me  now  what  concerns  those 
mountains,  why  are  they  so  dif- 
ferent ;  some  of  one  form,  and 
some  of  another. 

162  Hear,  said  he;  These 
twelve  mountains  which  thou 
seest,  are  twelve  nations,  which 
make  up  the  whole  world. 
Wherefore  the  Son  of  God  is 
preached  to  them,  by  those  whom 
he  sent  unto  them. 

163  But  why,  said  I,  are  they 
different,   and   every   one   of  a 


1  Justos,  Righteous.  5  Vid.  Edit.  Oxon.  p.  171,  b.  sTraditur,  Delivered. 
4  Vid.  Coteler.  Annot.  in  loc.  p.  77,  78.  Comp.  1  Pet.  iii.  19.  6  Vid.  Clem. 
Alex.  Strom,  ii.  et  vi. 

258 


militant 


SIMILITUDE  IX. 


i</  triumphant. 


figure?  He  replied,  Hearken. 
Those  twelve  nations  which  pos- 
sess the  whole  world,  are  twelve 
people. 

164  And  as  thou  hast  beheld 
these  mountains  different,  so  are 
they.  I  will  therefore  open  to 
thee  the  meaning  and  actions  of 
every  mountain. 

165  But  first,  sir,  said  I,  shew 
me  this  ;  Seeing  these  mountains 
are  so  different,  how  have  they 
agreed  into  the  building  of  this 
tower  ;  and  been  brought  to  one 
colour;  and  are  no  less  bright 
than  those  that  came  out  of  the 
deep? 

166  Because,  replied  he,  all 
the  nations  which  are  under  hea- 
ven, have  heard  and  believed  in 
the  same  one  name  of  the  Son  of 
God  by  whom  they  are  called. 

167  Wherefore  having  re- 
ceived his  seal,  they  have  all 
been  made  partakers  of  the  same 
1  understanding  and  2  knowledge ; 
and  their  faith  and  charity  have 
been  the  same ;  and  they  have 
carried  the  spirits  of  these  virgins 
together  with  his  name. 

168  And  therefore  the  build- 
ing of  this  tower  appeared  to  be 
of  the  same  colour,  and  did  shine 
like  the  brightness  of  the  sun. 

169  But  after  that  they  had 
thus  agreed  in  one  mind  there 
began  to  be  one  body  of  them 
all ;  howbeit  some  of  them  pol- 
luted themselves,  and  were  cast 
off  from  the  kind  of  the  right- 
eous, and  again  returned  to  their 
former  state,  and  became  even 
worse  than  they  were  before. 

170  1"  How,  said  I,  sir,  were 
they  worse  who  knew  the  Lord  ? 
He  answered :  If  he  who  knows 
not  the  Lord  liveth  wickedly, 
the  punishment  of  his  wicked- 
ness attends  him. 


171  But  he  who  has  known 

the  Lord,  ought  t<>  abstain  alto- 
gether from  all  wickedm 
more   and  more  to  be  the  .-.  r 
vant  of  righteousness. 

172  And  docs  not  he  then 
seem  to  thee  to  .-in  more  who 
ought  to  follow  goodneea,  if  he 
shall  prefer  the  part  of  sin  ;  than 
he  who  offends  without  knowing  , 
the  power  of  God? 

173  Wherefore  these  arc  in- 
deed ordained  unto  death  ;  hut 
they  who  have  known  the  Lord, 
and  have  seen  his  wonderful 
works,  if  they  shall  live  wicked- 
ly, they  shall  be  doubly  pun- 
ished, and  shall  die  for  ever. 

174  As  therefore  thou  hast 
seen  that  after  the  stones  were  cast 
out  of  the  tower,  which  had  been 
rejected  ;  they  were  delivered  to 
wicked  and  cruel  spirits;  and 
thou  beheldest  the  tower  so 
cleansed,  as  if  it  had  all  been 
made  of  one  stone  : 

175  3  So  the  church  of  God, 
when  it  shall  be  purified  :  (the 

4  wicked    and    counterfeits,   the 

5  mischievous  and  doubtful,  and 
all  that  have  behaved  themselves 
wickedly  in  it,  and  committed 
divers  kinds  of  sin,  being  cast 
out)  shall  become  one  body,  and 
there  shall  be  one  understanding, 
one  opinion,  one  faith,  and  the 
same  charitv. 

176  And*  then  shall  the  Bon 
of  God  rejoice  among  tin  m,  and 
shall  receive  his  people  with  a 
pure  will. 

177  And  I  said;  Sir,  all  these 
things  are  great  and  honourable  ; 
but  now  shew  unto  me  the  i  flj  ct 
and  force  of  every  mountain: 
that  everv  soul  which  tin  U  th 
in  the  Lord,  when  it  shall  huir 
these  thingsmay  honour  hi 

and  wonderful,  and  holy  name, 


Prudence.  2  Sense.   3Lat.  Virtutera. 


Vid.Orig.  IMiilocal.c.  viii.    »  Kvil. 


Of  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


178  Hear,  said  he,  the  variety 
of  these  mountains,  that  is,  of 
the  twelve  nations. 

179  T  They  who  have  believed 
of  the  first  mountain,  which  is 
black,  are  those  who  have  revolt- 
ed from  the  faith ;  and  spoken 
wicked  things  against  the  Lord  ; 
and  betrayed  the  servants  of 
God. 

180  These  are  condemned  to 
death,  there  is  no  repentance  for 
them:  and  therefore  they  are 
black,  because  their  kind  is 
wicked. 

181  Of  the  second  mountain 
which  was  smooth,  are  the  1  hy- 
pocrites, who  have  believed,  and 
the  teachers  of  naughtiness :  and 
these  are  next  to  the  foregoing, 
which  have  not  in  them  the  fruit 
of  righteousness. 

182  For  as  their  mountain  is 
barren  and  without  fruit ;  so 
also  such  kind  of  men  have  in- 
deed the  name  of  Christians,  but 
are  empty  of  faith  ;  nor  is  there 
any  fruit  of  the  truth  in  them. 

183  Nevertheless  there  is  room 
left  to  them  for  repentance,  if  they 
shall  suddenly  pursue  it :  but  if* 
they  shall  delay,  they  also  shall 
be  partakers  of  death  with  the 
foregoing  kind. 

184  I  said,  Sir,  why  is  there 
room  left  to  those  for  repentance, 
and  not  to  the  foregoing  kind, 
seeing  their  sins  are  well  nigh 
the  same  ? 

185  There  is  therefore,  said  he 
to  these  a  return  unto  life  by  re- 
pentance, because  they  have  not 
blasphemed  against  their  Lord, 
nor  betrayed  the  servants  of 
God  :  but  by  their  desire  of  gain 
have  deceived  men,  leading  them 
according  to  the  lusts  of  sinners  j 
wherefore  they  shall  suffer  for 
this  thin?. 


186  Howbeit  there  is  still  left 
them  room  for  repentance,  be- 
cause they  have  not  spoken  any 
thing  wickedly  against  the  Lord. 

187  f  They  who  are  of  the 
third  mountain  which  had  thorns 
and  brambles,  are  those  who  be- 
lieved, but  were  some  of  them 
rich,  others  taken  up  with  many 
affairs :  the  brambles  are  their 
riches  :  the  thorns,  those  affairs 
in  which  they  were  engaged. 

188  Now  they  who  are  en- 
tangled in  much  business,  and 
in  diversity  of  affairs,  join  not 
themselves  to  the  servants  of 
God,  but  wander,  being  called 
away  by  those  affairs  with  which 
they  are  choked. 

189  And  so  they  which  are 
rich,  with  difficulty  yield  them- 
selves to  the  2  conversation  of  the 
servants  of  God ;  fearing  lest  any- 
thing should  be  asked  of  them. 
These  therefore  shall  hardly  en- 
ter into  the  kingdom  of  God. 

190  For  as  men  walk  with 
difficulty  bare-foot  over  thorns, 
even  so  these  kind  of  men  shall 
scarcely  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  God. 

191  Nevertheless  there  is  af- 
forded to  all  these  a  return  unto 
repentance;  if  that  they  shall 
quickly  return  to  it ;  that  because 
in  their  former  days  they  have 
neglected  to  work,  in  the  time 
that  is  to  come  they  may  do 
some  good. 

192  If  therefore  having  re- 
pented they  shall  do  the  works 
of  righteousness,  they  shall  live ; 
but  if  they  shall  continue  in  their 
evil  courses,  they  shall  be  deli- 
vered to  those  women  that  will 
take  away  their  life. 

193  1"  As  for  the  fourth  moun- 
tain, which  had  many  herbs,  the 
upper  part  of  which   is  green, 


1  Profligate. 
260 


1  Vid.  Edit.  Oxcm.,  p.  178,  Not.  b. 


militant  and  SIMILITUDE  IX.  timnpkmt 

but  the  roots  dry   and  some  of  j  folly  many  of  then,  whilst  .1,  v 
which   being  touched  with  the  magnify  themselves,  are  becoS 

heat  of  the  sun  are  withered 


194  It  denotes  the  doubtful, 
who  have  believed,  and  some 
others  who  carry  the  Lord  in 
their  tongues,  but  have  him  not 
in  their  heart:  therefore  their 
grass  is  dry,  and  without  root; 
because  they  live  only  in  words, 
but  their  works  are  dead. 

195  These  therefore  are  nei- 
ther dead  nor  living,  and  withal 
are  doubtful.  For  the  doubtful 
are  neither  green  nor  dry ;  that 
is,  neither  dead  nor  alive. 

196  For  as  the  herbs  dry 
away  at  the  sight  of  the  sun  ;  so 
the  doubtful  as  soon  as  they  hear 
of  persecution,  and  fear  inconve- 
niences, return  to  their  idols, 
and  again  serve  them,  and  are 
ashamed  to  bear  the  name  of 
their  Lord. 

197  This  kind  of  men  then  is 
neither  dead  nor  alive;  never- 
theless these  also  may  live,  if 
they  shall  presently  repent;  but 
if  not,  they  shall  be  delivered  to 
those  women,  who  shall  take 
away  their  life. 

198  Tf  As  concerning  the  fifth 
mountain  that  is  craggy,  and 
yet  has  green  grass :  they  are  of 
this  kind  who  have  believed, 
and  are  faithful  indeed,  but  be- 
lieve with  difficulty;  and  are 
bold,  and  self  conceited ;  that 
would  be  thought  to  know  all 
things,  but  really  know  nothing. 

199  Wherefore,  by  reason  of 
this  confidence,  knowledge  is  de- 
parted from  them;  and  a  rash 
presumption  is  entered  into  them. 

200  But  they  carry  themselves 
high,  and  as  prudent  men  ;  and 
though  they  are  fools,  yet  would 
Beem  to  be  teachers. 

201  Now  by   reason"  of  this 


very 


come 
vain  and  empty.  For  boldneai 
and  vain  confidence  is  a 
evil  spirit. 

202  Wherefore  many  of  these 
are  cast  away;  but  other!  ac- 
knowledging their  error,  bays 
repented,  and  submitted  them- 
selves to  those  who  are  knowing. 

203  And  to  all  the  rest  ..ft  In- 
kind  there  is  repentance  allow< ,] ; 
forasmuch  as  they  were  not  so 
much  wicked  as  foolish,  as  void 
of  understanding. 

204  If  these  therefore  shall 
repent,  they  shall  live  unto  God; 
but  if  not,  they  shall  dwell  with 
those  women,  who  shall  excrete 
their  wickedness  upon  them. 

205  ^f  For  what  concerns  the 
sixth  mountain  having  greater 
and  lesser  clefts,  they  are  such  as 
have  believed ;  but  those  In  which 
were  lesser  clefts  are  they  who 
have  had  controversies  among 
themselves ;  and  by  reason  of 
their  quarrels  languish  in  the 
faith ; 

206  Nevertheless  many  of  these 
repented,  and  so  will  the 

rest  when  they  shall  hear  my 
commands;  for  their  controver- 
sies are  but  small,  and  tin  y  will 
easily  return  unto  repentance. 

207  But  those  win.  have  the 
greater  clefts,  will  be  as  stiff 
stones,  mindful  of  grudgec  and 
offences,  and  full  of  anger  among 
themselves.  These  therefore  arc 
cast  from  the  tower,  ami  refused 
to  be  put  into  its  building;  for 
this  kind  of  men  shall  hardly  live 

208  Our  God  and  Low,  who 
ruleth  over  all  things,  and  has 
power  overall  his  creatures,  will 
not  remember  our  offences,  but 
is  easily  appeast  d  by  those  who 
confess  their  sins:  but  man  being 


Magnum  Daemonium. 


261 


Of  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


languid,  mortal,  infirm,  and  full 
of  sins,  perseveres  in  his  anger 
against  man ;  as  if  it  were  in  his 
power  to  save  or  destroy  him. 

209  But  I,  as  the  angel  who 
am  set  over  your  repentance, 
admonish  you,  that  whosoever 
among  you  has  any  such  purpose 
he  should  lay  it  aside,  and  return 
unto  repentance;  and  the  Lord 
will  heal  your  former  sins,  if  you 
shall  purge  yourselves  from  this 
evil  spirit ;  but  if  you  shall  not 
do  it,  ye  shall  be  delivered  to 
him  unto  death. 

210  ^[  As  for  the  seventh  moun- 
tain in  which  the  grass  was  green 
and  flourishing,  and  the  whole 
mountain  faithful ;  and  all  kind 
of  cattle  fed  upon  the  grass  of  it, 
and  the  more  the  grass  was  eaten 
so  much  the  more  it  flourished : 

211  They  are  such  as  believed, 
and  were  always  good  and  up- 
right; and  without  any  differ- 
ences among  themselves,  but  still 
rejoiced  in  the  servants  of  God, 
having  put  on  the  spirit  of  these 
virgins;  and  been  always  for- 
ward to  shew  mercy  to  all  men, 
readily  giving  to  all  men  of  their 
labours  without  upbraiding,  and 
without  deliberation. 

212  Wherefore  the  Lord  seeing 
their  simplicity  and  *  innocence, 
has  increased  them  in  the  works 
of  their  hands,  and  given  them 
grace  in  all  their  works. 

213  But  I,  who  am  the  angel 
appointed  over  your  repentance, 
exhort  you,  that  as  many  as  are 
of  this  kind  would  continue  in 
the  same  purpose,  that  your  seed 
may  not  be  rooted  out  forever. 

214  For  the  Lord  hath  tried 
you,  and  written  you  into  our 
number ;  and  all  your  seed  shall 
dwell  with  the  Son  of  God ;  for 
ye  are  all  of  his  spirit. 


215  Tf  As  concerning  the  eighth 
mountain  in  which  were  a  great 
many  springs,  by  which  every 
kind  of  all  the  creatures  of  God 
was  watered ;  they  are  such  as 
have  believed  the  Apostles  which 
the  Lord  sent  into  all  the  world 
to  preach ; 

216  And  2  some  of  them  being 
teachers  have  preached  and 
taught  purely  and  sincerely,  and 
have  not  in  the  least  yielded  to 
any  evil  desires,  but  have  con- 
stantly walked  in  righteousness 
and  truth. 

217  These  therefore  have  their 
conversations  among  the  angels. 

218  ^[  Again  ;  as  for  what  con- 
cerns the  ninth  mountain  which 
is  desert,  and  full  of  serpents; 
they  are  such  as  have  believed, 
but  had  many  stains : 

219  These  are  such  ministers 
as  discharge  their  ministry  amiss; 
ravishing  away  the  goods  of  the 
widows  and  fatherless  ;  and  serve 
themselves,  not  others,  out  of 
those  things  which  they  have 
received. 

220  These,  if  they  continue  in 
this  covetousness,  have  delivered 
themselves  unto  death,  nor  shall 
there  be  any  hope  of  life  for 
them.  But  if  they  shall  be  con- 
verted, and  shall  discharge  their 
ministry  sincerely,  they  may 
live. 

221  As  for  those  which  were 
found  rough,  they  are  such  as 
have  denied  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  and  not  returned  again  to 
the  Lord,  but  have  become  sav- 
age and  wild ;  not  applying  them- 
selves to  the  servants  of  God ; 
but  being  separated  from  them, 
have  for  a  little  carelessness  lost 
their  lives. 

222  For  as  a  vine  that  is  for- 
saken in  a    hedge,   and    never 


Infancy. 

262 


2  MS.  Lamb.     Et  quidam  Doctores  caste :  Omitting  Qui. 


militant  and 


SIMILITUDE  IX. 


dressed,  perishes  and  is  choked 
by  the  weeds,  and  in  time  be- 
comes wild,  and  ceases  to  be  use- 
ful to  its  lord  ;  so  this  kind  of 
men  despairing  of  themselves, 
and  being  soured,  have  begun  to 
be  unprofitable  to  their  Lord. 

223  Howbeit  to  these  there  is, 
after  all,  repentance  allowed,  if 
they  shall  not  be  found  from 
their  hearts  to  have  denied 
Christ ;  but  if  any  of  these  shall 
be  found  to  have  denied  him 
from  his  heart,  I  cannot  tell 
whether  such  a  one  can  attain 
unto  life. 

224  I  say  therefore  that  if  any 
one  hath  denied,  he  should  in 
these  days  return  unto  repent- 
ance ;  for  it  cannot  be  that  any 
one  who  now  denies  the  Lord, 
can  afterwards  attain  unto  sal- 
vation: nevertheless  repentance 
is,  proposed  unto  them  who  have 
formerly  denied. 

225  But  he  who  will  repent 
must  hasten  on  his  repentance, 
before  the  building  of  this  tower 
is  finished :  otherwise  he  shall  be 
delivered  by  those  women  unto 
death. 

226  But  they  that  are  maimed 
are  the  deceitful ;  and  those  who 
mix  with  one  another,  these  are 
the  serpents  that  you  saw  min- 
gled in  that  mountain. 

227  For  as  the  poison  of  ser- 
pents is  deadly  unto  men ;  so  the 
words  of  such  persons  infect  and 
destroy  men.  They  are  there- 
fore maimed  in  their  faith,  by 
reason  of  that  kind  of  life  which 
they  lead. 

228  Howbeit  some  of  them, 
having  repented,  have  been 
saved,  and  so  shall  others  of  the 
same  kind  be  also  saved,  if  they 
shall  repent;  but  if  not,  they 
shall  die  by  those  women  whose 
power  and  force  they  possess. 

229  1  For  what  concerns   the 


tenth  mountain,  in   which  wen 

the  trees  covering  the  cattle, 
they  are  such  as  have  believed  ; 
and  some  of  them  have  been 
bishops,  that  is,  governor*  of  the 

churches. 

230  Others,  are  such  stones  as 
have  not  feignedly,  but  with  a 
cheerful  mind  entertained  the 
servants  of  God. 

231  Then  such  as  have  been 
set  over  inferior  ministries  ;  and 
have  protected  the  poor  and  the 
widows;  and  have  always  kept 
a  chaste  conversation:  therefore 
they  also  are  protected  by  the 
Lord. 

232  Whosoever  shall  do  on  this 
wise,  are  honored  with  the  Lord ; 
and  their  place  is  among  the  an- 
gels, if  they  shall  continue  to 
obey  the  Lord  even  unto  the  end. 

233  T[  As  to  the  eleventh 
mountain  in  which  were  trees 
loaded  with  several  sorts  of  fruits, 
they  are  such  as  have  believed, 
and  suffered  death,  for  the  namo 
of  the  Lord;  and  have  endured 
with  a  ready  mind,  and  have 
given  up  their  lives  with  all 
their  hearts. 

234  And  I  said,  Why  then, 
sir,  have  all  these  fruit  indeed, 
but  yet  some  fairer  than  others? 

235  Hearken,  said  he :  Who- 
soever have  suffered  for  thename 
of  the  Lord  are  esteemed  honour- 
able by  the  Lord  ;  and  all  their 
offences  are  blotted  out,  becauee 
they  have  suffered  death  for  the 
name  of  the  Son  of  God. 

236  Hear  now,  why  their 
fruits  are  different,  and  Borne  of 
them  excel  others,  tiny  who  be- 
ing brought  before  magistrate*, 
and  being  asked,  denied  not  the 
Lord,  but  suffered  with  a  ready 
mind  ;  these  are  more  honourable 
with  the  Lord.  The  fruits  there- 
fore that  are  the  most  fair  IN 
these. 

2G3 


Of  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church 


237  But  they  who  were  fear- 
ful and  doubtful,  and  have  de- 
liberated with  themselves  whe- 
ther they  should  confess  or  de- 
ny Christ,  and  yet  have  suffered  ; 
their  fruits  are  smaller,  because 
that  this  thought  came  into  their 
hearts. 

238  For  it  is  a  wicked  and 
evil  thought  for  a  servant  to  de- 
liberate whether  he  should  deny 
his  master.  Take  heed  therefore 
ye  who  have  such  thoughts,  that 
this  mind  continue  not  in  you, 
and  ye  die  unto  God. 

239  But  ye  who  suffer  death 
for  his  name  sake,  ought  to  hon- 
our the  Lord,  that  he  has  es- 
teemed you  worthy  to  bear  his 
name ;  and  that  you  should  be 
delivered  from  all  your  sins. 

240  And  why  therefore  do 
you  not  rather  esteem  yourselves 
happy  ?  Yea  think  verily  that  if 
any  one  among  you  suffer,  he 
performs  a  great  work !  For  the 
Lord  giveth  you  life,  and  ye 
understand  it  not.  For  your  of- 
fences did  oppress  you  ;  and  if 
ye  had  not  suffered  for  his  name 
sake,  ye  had  now  been  dead  unto 
the  Lord, 

241  Wherefore  I  speak  this 
unto  you  who  deliberate  whether 
ye  should  confess  or  deny  him  ; 
confess  that  ye  have  the  Lord 
for  your  God  ;  lest  at  any  time 
denying  him,  ye  be  delivered 
not  into  bonds. 

242  For  all  nations  punish 
their  servants  which  deny  their 
masters  ;  what  think  you  that  the 
Lord  will  do  unto  you,  who,  has 
the  power  of  all  things  ? 

243  Remove  therefore  out  of 
your  hearts  these  doubts,  that  ye 
may  live  forever  unto  God. 

244  As  for  the  twelfth  moun- 
tain, which  was  white,  they  are 
euch  as  have  believed  like  sincere 
children,    into   whose   thoughts 

264 


there  never  came  any  malice, 
nor  have  they  ever  known  what 
sin  was,  but  have  always  con- 
tinued in  their  integrity. 

245  Wherefore  this  kind  of  men 
shall  without  all  doubt  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God ;  because 
they  have  never  in  any  thing  de- 
filed the  commandments  of  God, 
but  have  continued  with  sincerity 
in  the  same  condition  all  the  days 
of  their  life. 

246  Whosoever  therefore,  said 
he,  shall  continue  as  children 
without  malice;  shall  be  more 
honourable  than  all  those  of 
whom  I  have  yet  spoken :  for  all 
such  children  are  honoured  by 
the  Lord,  and  esteemed  the  first 
of  all. 

247  Happy  therefore  are  ye 
who  shall  remove  all  malice  from 
you,  and  put  on  innocence ;  be- 
cause ye  shall  first  see  the  Lord. 

248  And  after  he  had  thus 
ended  his  explication  of  all  the 
mountains,  I  said  unto  him,  Sir, 
show  me  now  also  what  concerns 
the  stones  that  were  brought  out 
of  the  plain,  and  put  into  the 
tower  in  the  room  of  those  that 
were  rejected : 

249  As  also  concerning  those 
round  stones  which  were  added 
into  the  building  of  the  tower : 
and  also  of  those  who  still  con- 
tinued round. 

250  ^[  Hear  now,  says  he, 
concerning  those  stones  which 
were  brought  out  of  the  plain 
into  the  building  of  the  tower, 
and  placed  in  the  room  of  those 
that  were  rejected  ;  they  are  the 
roots  of  that  white  mountain. 

251  Wherefore  because  those 
who  have  believed  of  that  moun- 
tain were  very  innocent ;  the  lord 
of  this  tower  commanded  that 
they  which  were  of  the  roots  of 
this  mountain  should  be  placed 
into  the  building. 


militant 


SIMILITUDE  IX. 


and  triuinjjh'utt. 


252  For  he  knew  that  if  they  j  not  found  fit  for  the  building' of 
were  put  into  this  building  they  this  tower,  because  they  ku 
would  continue  bright;  nor  would  yet  received  the  Beal  ;  they  w<  ra 
any  of  them  any  more  be  made  carried  back  to  their  place,  be- 
black.  cause   they    were    bund    very 

253  But  if  he  had  added  on  round. 

this  manner  from  the  rest  of  the  261  But  this  present  world 
mountains,  he  would  Almost  have  |  must  be  cut  awav  from  them, 
needed  again  to  visit  the  tower  \  and  the  vanities  or  tin  ir  riches  ; 
and  to  cleanse  it.  |  and  then  they  will  be  fit  for  the 

254  Now  all  these  white  stones  !  kingdom  of  God.  For  they 
are  the  young  men  who  have  be-  j  must  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
lieved,  or  shall  believe ;  for  they    God,  because   God  has  blessed 


are  all  of  the  same  kind.  Happy 
is  this  kind,  because  it  is  inno- 
cent. 

255  Hear  now  also  concerning 
those  round  and  bright  stones: 
all  these  are  of  this  white  moun- 
tain.     But   thev   are   therefore 


found  round,  because  their  riches  esteem  you  happy,  whosoever  are 


this  innocent  kind. 

262  Of  this  kind  therefore 
none  shall  fall  away  ;  for  though 
any  of  them  being  tempted  By 
the  devil  should  offend,  he  shall 
soon  return  to  his  Lord  God. 

263  I  the  angel  of  repentance 


have  a  little  darkened  them  from 
the  truth  and  dazzled  their  eyes : 

256  Howbeit  they  have  never 
departed  from  the  Lord,  nor  has 
any  wicked  word  proceeded  out 
of  their  mouths ;  but  all  righteous- 
ness, and  virtue,  and  truth. 

257  When  therefore  the  Lord 


innocent  as  little  children,  be- 
cause your  portion  is  good  and 
honourable  with  the  Lord. 

264  And  I  say  unto  all  you 
who  have  received  this  seal ; 
keep  simplicity,  and  remember 
not  the  offences  which  arc  com- 
mitted   against    you,  nor    ton- 


saw  their  mind,  and  that  they  tinue  in  malice,  or  in  bitter- 
might  adorn  the  truth  ;  he  com-  ness,  through  the  memory  of 
manded  that  they  should  continue  j  offences. 


j;ood,  and  that  their  riches  should 
be  pared  away : 

258  For  he  would  not  have 
them  taken  wholly  away,  to  the 
end  they  might  do  some  good 
with  that  which  was  left,  and  live 
unto  God ;  because  they  also  are 
of  a  good  kind. 


265  3But  become  one  spirit, 
and  provide  remedies  for  these 
evil  rents,  and  remove  th<  m  from 
you  ;  that  the  lord  of  the  Bheep 
may  rejoice4 at  it;  'for  be  will 
rejoice,  if  he  shall  find  all  whole. 

266  But  if  any  of  th<  * 
ball  be  found  scattered  away, 


259  Therefore  was  there  a  little  j  Wo  shall  be  to  the  Bhepherds; 
cut  off  from  them,  and  so  they  !  but  and  if  the  shepherd  them- 
were  put  into  the  building  of  selves  shall  be  scattered;  what 
this  tower  will  they  answer  to  "  the  lord  oi 

260  1  As  for  the  rest  which  |  the  sheepfohl '!  Will  they  jay 
continued  still  round,  and  were  !  that  they  were  troubled  by  the 

«  MS.  Lamb.  Tantura  non  Decease habowet   ,  .  JMS    I,,mk  Btolietanil 
turris  hnjus.    3  MS.  Lamb.  Et  iinum  qnemque  spiritum  flen  :  whi. 
from  the  Gr.  of  Antiochus  to  be  the  true  read.ng,  «u  y**c 
*  MS.  Lamb.  Gaudeat  de  his  ;  and  Gr.  Ant.och  X*W  ™  avTU-      ^  nl  AliU 
och.  Horn,  exxii.    6  Gr.  TV  6eoito7V  tov  Ttotfiviov. 


Of  the  mysteries 


III.  HERMAS. 


of  the  church. 


sheep  ?     But  they  shall  not  be 
believed. 

267  For  it  is  an  incredible 
thing  that  the  shepherd  should 
suffer  by  his  flock ;  and  he  shall 
be  the  more  punished  for  his  lie. 

268  Now  I  am  the  shepherd  ; 
and  especially  must  give  an  ac- 
count of  you. 

269  *([  Wherefore  take  care  of 
yourselves  whilst  the  tower  is  j 
yet  building.  The  Lord  dwells 
in  those  that  love  peace ;  for 
peace  is  beloved ;  but  he  is  far 
off  from  the  contentious,  and 
those  who  are  *  full  of  malice. 

270  Wherefore  restore  unto 
him  the  spirit  entire,  as  ye  re- 
ceived it.  JFor  if  thou  shalt 
give  unto  a  fuller  a  garment  new 
and  whole,  thou  wilt  expect  to 
receive  it  whole  again  ;  if  there- 
fore the  fuller  shall  restore  it 
uuto  thee  torn,  wouldest  thou  re- 
ceive it  ? 

271  Wouldst  thou  not  pre- 
sently be  angry;  and  reproach 
him,  saying ;  I  gave  my  garment 
to  thee  whole ;  why  hast  thou 
rent  it,  and  made  it  useless  to 


me  ?  Now  it  is  of  no  use  to  me, 
by  reason  of  the  rent  which  thou 
hast  made  in  it.  Wouldst  thou 
not  say  all  this  to  a  fuller,  for 
the  rent  which  he  made  in  thy 
garment  ? 

272  If  therefore  thou  wouldst 
be  concerned  for  thy  garment, 
and  complain  that  thou  hadst 
not  received  it  whole  ;  what 
thinkest  thou  that  the  Lord  will 
do,  who  gave  his  Spirit  to  thee 
entire,  and  thou  hast  rendered 
him  altogether  unprofitable,  so 
that  he  can  be  of  no  use  unto  his 
Lord  ?  For  being  corrupted  by 
thee,  he  is  no  longer  profitable 
to  him. 

273  Will    not    therefore  the 


Lord  do  the  same  concerning  his 
Spirit,  by  reason  of  thy  deed? 
Undoubtedly,  said  I,  he  will  do 
the  same  to  all  those  whom  he 
shall  find  to  continue  in  the  re- 
membrance of  injuries. 

274  Tread  not  then  under  foot 
he  said,  his  mercy  ;  but  rather 
honour  him,  because  he  is  so 
patient  with  respect  to  your  of- 
fences, and  not  like  one  of  you  ; 
but  repent,  for  that  will  be  profit- 
able for  you. 

275  ^[  All  these  things  which 
are  above  written,  I  the  shep- 
herd, the  angel  of  repentance, 
have  shown  and  spoken  to  the 
servants  of  God. 

276  If  therefore  ye  shall  be- 
lieve and  hearken  to  these  words, 
and  shall  walk  in  them,  and  shall 
correct  your  ways,  ye  shall  live. 
But  if  ye  shall  continue  in 
malice,  and  in  the  remembrance 
of  injuries,  no  such  sinners  shall 
live  unto  God. 

277  All  these  things  which 
were  to  be  spoken  by  me  I  have 
thus  delivered  unto  you.  Then 
the  shepherd  said  unto  me,  Hast 
thou  asked  all  things  of  me?  I 
answered,  Sir,  I  have. 

278  Why,  then,  said  he,  hast 
thou  not  asked  concerning  the 
spaces  of  these  stones  that  were 
put  in  the  building,  that  I  may 
explain  that  also  unto  thee  ?  I 
answered,  Sir,  I  forgot  it.  Hear, 
then,  said  he,  concerning  these 
also. 

279  They  are  those  who  have 
now  heard  these  commands,  and 
have  repented  with  all  their 
hearts ; 

280  And  when  the  Lord  saw 
that  their  repentance  was  good 
and  pure,  and  that  they  could 
continue  in  it,  he  commanded 
their   former  sins  to  be  blotted 


Perdites  malitia.  Lat. 


266 


2  Antioch.  Horn.  xciv. 


Of  repentance 


SIMILITUDE  X. 


and  uli., 


out.  For  these  spaces  were  their 
sins,  and  they  are  therefore  made 
even  that  they  might  not  appear. 

SIMILITUDE  X. 

Of  Repentance  and  alms-deeds. 

AFTER  that  I  had  written 
this  book,  the  angel  which 
had  delivered  me  to  that  shep- 
herd, came  into  the  house  where 
I  was  and  sat  upon  the  bed,  and 
that  shepherd  stood  at  his  right 
hand. 

2  Then  he  called  me  and  said 
unto  me ;  I  delivered  thee  and 
thy  house  to  this  shepherd,  that 
thou  mightest  be  protected  by 
him.     I  said,  Yes,  Lord. 

3  If  therefore,  said  he,  thou 
wilt  be  protected  from  all  vexa- 
tions and  from  all  cruelty,  and 
have  success  in  every  good  word 
and  work ;  and  have  all  virtue 
and  righteousness ;  walk  in  those 
commands  which  he  has  given 
thee,  and  thou  shalt  have  do- 
minion over  all  sin. 

4  For  if  thou  keepest  those 
commands,  all  the  lust  and  plea- 
sure of  this  present  world  shall 
be  subject  to  thee  ;  and  success 
shall  follow  thee  in  every  good 
undertaking. 

5  Take  therefore  his  gravity 
and  modesty  towards  thee,  and 
say  unto  all,  that  he  is  in  great 
honour  and  renown  with  God, 
and  is  a  2  prince  of  great  author- 
ity and  powerful  in  his  office. 

6  To  him  only  is  the  power  of 
repentance  committed  through- 
out the  whole  world.  Does  he 
not  seem  to  thee  to  be  of  great 
authority  ? 

7  But  ye  despise  his  goodness, 
and  the  modesty  which  he  shews 
towards  you. 

8  If  I  said  unto  him ;  Sir,  ask 


him  Bince  the  time  that  he  came 

into  my  house   whether   I   have 

done  any  tiling  disorderly,  ..r 
have  offended  him  in  any  thing f 

9  I  know,  said  he,  that  thotl 
hast    done  nothing   disorderly, 

neither  wilt  thou  hereafter  do 
any  such  thing ;  and  therefore  I 
speak  these  things  with  thee  that 
thou  mayest  persevere  ;  for  he 
has  given  me  a  good  account 
concerning  thee, 

10  But  thou  shalt  speak  these 
things  to  others,  that  they  who 
either  have  repented,  or  shall 
repent,  'may  be  like-minded 
with  thee  ;  and  he  may  give  me 
as  good  an  account  of  them  also, 
and  I  may  do  the  same  unto  the 
Lord. 

11  I  answered  ;  Sir,  I  declare 
to  all  men  the  wonderful  works 
of  God;  and  I  hope  that  all 
who  love  them  and  have  before 
sinned,  when  they  shall  hear 
these  things,  will  repent,  and  re- 
cover life. 

12  Continue  therefore,  said 
he,  in  this  ministry,  and  fulfil  it. 
And  whosoever  shall  do  accord- 
ing to  the  commands  of  this 
shepherd,  he  shall  live ;  and 
shall  have  great  honour  both 
here  and  with  the  Lord. 

13  But  they  that  shall  not 
keep  his  commands,  flee  from 
their  life,  and  are  adversaries  t<> 
it.  And  they  that  follow  not  his 
commands,  shall  deliver  them- 
selves unto  death,  and  .-hall  be 
every  one  guilty  of  his  own 
blood. 

14  But  I  say  unto  thee,  k<<  p 
these  commandments,  and  thou 
shalt  find  a  cure  for  all  thy  sins. 

15  If  Moreover,  1  have  w  at 
Hhese  virgins  to  dwell  with  thee  ; 
for  I  have  seen  that  they  ON 


i Lat.  Maturitatem.        s  President        ■. Bufem  m.« £  jentijnt 

<  What   is  meant  by  these  virgins  ?-Soe  before,  Maul.  IX.  f.  1«  I 

207 


Of  repentance 


III.  HERMAS. 


and  alms  deeds. 


very  kind  to  thee.  Thou  shalt 
therefore  have  them  for  thy 
helpers,  that  thou  mayest  the 
better  keep  the  commands  which 
he  hath  given  thee ;  for  these 
commands  cannot  be  kept  with- 
out these  virgins. 

16  And  1 1  see  how  they  are 
willing  to  be  with  thee ;  and  I 
will  also  command  them  that 
they  shall  not  all  depart  from 
thy  house. 

17  Only  do  thou  purify  thy 
house,  for  they  will  readily  dwell 
in  a  clean  house.  For  they  are 
clean  and  chaste,  and  indus- 
trious ;  and  all  of  them  have 
grace  with  the  Lord. 

18  If  therefore,  thou  shalt 
have  thy  house  pure,  they  will 
abide  with  thee.  But  if  it  shall 
be  never  so  little  polluted,  they 
will  immediately  depart  from 
thy  house  :  for  these  virgins  can- 
not endure  any  manner  of  pollu- 
tion. 

19  I  said  unto  him  ;  Sir,  I 
hope  that  I  shall  so  please  them, 
that  they  shall  always  delight  to 
dwell  in  my  house.  And  as  he 
to  whom  you  have  committed 
me,  makes  no  complaint  of  me ; 
so  neither  shall  they  complain. 

20  Then  he  said  to  that  shep- 
herd :  I  see  that  the  servant  of 
God  will  live  and  keep  these 
commandments,  and  place  these 
virgins  in  a  pure  habitation. 

21  When  he  had  said  this,  he 
delivered  me  again  to  that  shep- 
herd, and  called  the  virgins,  and 
said  unto  them  ;  forasmuch  as  I 
see  that  ye  will  readily  dwell  in 
this  man's  house,  I  commend 
him  and  his  house  to  you,  that 
ye  may  not  at  all  depart  from 
his  house.  And  they  willingly 
heard  these  words. 


22  Tf  Then  he  said  unto  me, 
Go  on  manfully  in  thy  ministry ; 
declare  to  all  men  the  great 
things  of  God,  and  thou  shalt 
find  grace  in  this  ministry. 

23  And  whosoever  shall  walk 
in  these  commands,  shall  live, 
and  be  happy  in  his  life.  But 
he  that  shall  neglect  them,  shall 
not  live,  and  shall  be  unhappy 
in  his  life. 

24  Say  unto  all  that  whosoever 
can  do  well,  cease  not  to  exer- 
cise themselves  in  good  works, 
for  it  is  profitable  unto  them. 
For  1 2  would  that  all  men  should 
be  delivered  from  the  inconveni- 
ences they  lie  under. 

25  For  he  that  wants,  and 
suffers  inconveniences  in  his 
daily  life,  is  in  great  torment 
and  necessity.  Whosoever  there- 
fore delivers  such  a  soul  from 
necessity,  gets  great  joy  unto 
himself. 

26  For  he  that  is  grieved  with 
such  inconveniences  is  equally 
tormented,  as  if  he  were  in  chains. 
And  many  upon  the  account  of 
such  calamities,  being  not  able 
to  bear  them,  have  chosen  even 
to  destroy  themselves. 

27  He  therefore  that  knows 
the  calamity  of  such  a  man,  and 
does  not  free  him  from  it,  com- 
mits a  great  sin,  and  is  guilty  of 
his  blood. 

28  Wherefore  exercise  your- 
selves in  good  works,  as  many  as 
have  received  ability  from  the 
Lord  ;  lest  whilst  ye  delay  to  do 
them,  the  building  of  the  tower 
be  finished ;  because  for  your 
sakes  the  building  is  stopped. 

29  Except  therefore  ye  shall 
make  haste  to  do  well,  the  tower 
shall  be  finished,  and  ye  shall  be 
shut  out  of  it. 


1  MS.  Lamb.  Video :  which  appears  from  the  close  of  this  section  to  be  the 
true  reading.       2  Say. 

268 


Of  repentance  SIMILITUDE  X.  and  „/,„, 


30  And  after  he  had  thus 
spoken  with  me,  he  rose  up  from 
the  bed  and  departed,  taking  the 
shepherd  and  virgins  with  him. 


31  Howbeit  he  said  onto  dm 
that  he  would  Bend  back  the 
shepherd  and  virgin*  onto  my 

house.     Amen. 


THE  END 

OP  THE  APOCRYPHAL  NEW   TESTAMENT. 


TABLE  I. 


A  LIST  of  all  the  Apocryphal  Pieces  not  now  extant,  mentioned  by 
Writers  in  the  first  four  Centuries  of  Christ,  with  the  several 
Works  wherein  they  are  cited  or  noticed. 


1.  The  Acts  of  Andrew.  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.  I.  3  c.  25.  Fhilastr. 
Hozres.  87.  Epiphan.  Hceres.  47  §  1.  Hasres.  61  §  /.  et  Hares.  63. 
§  2.     Oelas.  in  Decret.  apud.  Concil.  Sand.  torn.  4.  p.  12G0. 

2.  Books  under  the  name  of  Andrew.  August,  contr.  Adversar. 
Leg.  et  Prophet.  I.  c.  20.  et  Innocent  I.  Epis.  3.  ad  Exuper.  Tholos. 
Episc.  §  7. 

3.  The  Gospel  of  Andrew.     Gelas.  in  Decret. 

A  Gospel  under  the  name  of  Apelles.  Hieron.  PrcrJ'it.  in 
Comment,  in  Matt. 

The  Gospel  according  to  the  Twelve  Apostles.  Origan.  EomxL 
in  Luc.  i.  1.  Ambros.  Comment,  in  Luc.  i.  1.  et  Hieron.  PratfaL  in 
Comment,  in  Matt. 

B 

The  Gospel  of  Barnabas.     Gelas.  in  Decret. 

1.  The  Writings  of  Bartholomew  the  Apostle.  Dionys.  Areo- 
pagit.  de  Theol.  Myst.  c.  1. 

2.  The  Gospel  of  Bartholomew.  Hieron.  Catul.  Senpt, 
in  Pantcen.  et  Prcefat.in  Comm.  in  Matt.     Gelas  in  Decret. 

The  Gospel  of  Basilides.   Orig.  in  Luc.  i.  1.    Ambros.  in  Luc. 
i.  1.  Hieron.  Prazfat.  in  Comm.  in  Matt. 
c 

1.  The  Gospel  of  Cerinthus.     Epiphan.  Hvre*.  51.  J  7. 

2.  The  Revelation  of  Cerinthus.  Catas  Presb.  Bom.  '</>■  /><*- 
put.  apud.  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.  1.  3.  c.  28. 

1.  An  Epistle  of  Christ  to  Peter  and  Taul.     August,  d 
sens.  Evang.  1.  1.  c.  9,  19.  ,      _ 

2.  Some  other  Books  under  the  name  of  CHBOT.     Bnd.  0.  i. 

269 


The  Lost  Apocryphal  Books. 

3.  An  Epistle  of  Christ,  produced  by  the  Manichees.  August, 
contr.  Faust,  1.  28.  c.  4 

4.  A  Hymn,  which  Christ  taught  his  disciples.  Epis.  ad  Ceret. 
Episc. 

E 

The  Gospel  according  to  the  Egyptians.  Clem.  Alex.  Strom.  1. 
3.  p.  452,  465.  Origen.  in  Luc.  il  I.  Hieron.  Prcef.  in  Comm.  in 
Matt.  Epiphan.  Hozres.  62  §  2. 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  made  use  of  by  the  Ebionites. 
Epiphan.     Hozres.  30.  §  16. 

The  Gospel  of  the  Ebionites.     Epiphan.  Hozres.  30.  §  13. 

The  Gospel  of  the  Encratites.     Epiphan.  Hozres.  46.  1. 

The  Gospel  of  Eve.     Epiphan.  Hozres.  26.  §  2. 


The  Gospel  according  to  the  Hebrews.  Hegesipp.  lib.  Com- 
ment, apud  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.  1.  c.  22.  Clem.  Alex.  Strom.  1.  2.  p. 
380.  Origen.  Tract.  8.  in  Matt.  xix.  19.  et  1.  2,  Joan.  p.  58.  Euseb- 
H'st.  Eccl.  1.  3.  c.  25,  27,  et  39.     Jerome  in  many  places,  as  above. 

The  Book  of  the  Helkesaites.      Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.  1.  6.  c.  38. 

The  false  Gospels  of  Hesychius.  Hieron.  Prcef  at.  in  Evang.  ad 
Damas.  Gelas.  in  Decret. 

J 

The  Book  of  James.     Origen.  Comm.  in  Matt.  xiii.  55,  56. 

Books  forged  and  published  under  the  name  of  James.  Epi- 
phan. Hozres.  30.  §  23.  Innocent  I.  Epist.  3.  ad  Exuper.  Tholos. 
Episc.  §  7. 

1.  The  Acts  of  John.  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.  1.  3.  c.  25.  Athanas. 
in  Synops.  §  76.  Philastr.  Hozres.  87.  Epiphan.  Hozres.  47.  §  1.  Au- 
gust, contr.  Advers.  Leg.  1.  1.  c.  20. 

2.  Books  under  the  name  of  John.  Epiphan.  Hozres.  30.  §  23. 
et  Innocent  I.  ibid. 

A  Gospel  under  the  name  of  Jude.     Epiphan.  Hozres.  38.    §  1. 

A  Gospel  under  the  name  of  Judas  Iscariot.  Iren.  advers. 
Hozres.  1.  1.  c.  35. 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  by  Leucius.  August,  lib.  de  Fide 
contr.  Manich.  c.  38. 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  by  Lentitus.  August,  de  Act.  cum 
Fozlic.  Manich.  1.  2.  c.  6. 

The  Books  of  Lentitius.     Gelas.  in  Decret. 

The  Acts  under  the  Apostles'  name  by  Leontius.  August,  de 
Fide,  contr.  Manich.  c.  5. 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  by  Leuthon.  Hieron.  Epist.  ad  Chro- 
mat.  et  Heliodor. 

The  false  Gospels,  published  by  Lucianus.  Hieron.  Proefat.  in 
Evang.  ad  Damas. 

M 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  used  by  the  Manichees.     August  lib. 
cont.  Adimant  Manich.  c.  17. 
270 


The  Lost  Apocry])hal  Booh. 

The  Gospel  of  Marcion.  Tertull  adv.  Marcion.  lib.  4.  c  2  •  ' 
4.  Epiphan.  Hozres.  42.  Proem. 

Books  under  the  name  of  MATTHEW.      Epiphan.  11, 
§  23. 

1.  The  Gospel  of  Matthias.  Orig.  Comm.  in  hue.  i.  1.  Euseb, 
Hist.  Eccl.  I.  3.  c.  25.  Ambros.  in  Luc.  i.  1.  Hieroru  Pnefai  in 
Comment  in  Matt. 

2.  The  Traditions  of  Matthias.  Clem.  Alex.  Strom  1  2.  D 
380.  1.  3.  p.  436.  et  1.  7.  p.  748. 

3.  A  Book  under  the  name  of  Matthias.     Innocent  I.  ibid. 
The  Gospel  of  Merinthus.     Epiphan.  Hozres.  51.  §  7. 

N 

The  Gospel  according  to  the  Nazarenes.     See  ahovc  concern- 
ing the  Gospel  according  to  the  Hebrews. 
p 

1  The  Acts,  of  Paul  and  Thecla.  Tertull.  de  Baptism,  c.  17. 
Hieron.  Catal.  Script.  Eccl.  in  Luc.     Gelas.  in  Decret. 

2.  The  Acts  of  Paul.  Orig.  de  Princip.  1.  I.e.  2.  et  1.  21.  in 
Joan.  torn.  2.  p.  298.  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.  1.  3.  c.  3.  et  25.  Philastr. 
Hozres.  87. 

3.  The  Preaching  of  Paul  (and  Peter).  Lactant  de  Ver.  Sap. 
1.  4.  c.  21.  Script,  anonym,  ad  calcem  Opp.  Cypr.,  and,  according 
to  some,  Clem.  Alex.  Strom.  1.  6.  p.  636. 

4.  A  Book  under  the  name  of  Paul.     Cyprian.  Epist.  27. 

5.  The  Revelation  of  Paul.  Epiphan.  Hceres.  38.  §  2.  Augu.4. 
Tract.  98.  %n  Joann.  in  fin.  Gelas.  in  Decret. 

The  Gospel  of  Perfection.     Epiphan.  Hozres.  26.  §  2. 

1.  The  Acts  of  Peter.  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.  1.  3.  c.  3.  Athanai 
in  Synops.  S.  Scriptur.  §  75.  Philastr  Hozres.  27.  Hieron.  catal.  Script. 
Eccl.  in  Petr.     Epiphan.  Hozres.  30.  §  15. 

2.  The  Doctrine  of  Peter.     Orig.  Prozm.  in  lib.  de  Princip. 

3.  The  Gospel  of  Peter.  Scrip,  lib.  de  Evang.  Petri.,  <i]>n<i.  /•.'«- 
seb.  Hist.  Eccl  1.  6.  c.  13.  Tertull.  adv.  Marc.  1.  4.  c.  5.  Orig.  Com- 
ment, in  Matt,  xiii.  55,  56,  torn.  i.  p.  223.  Euseb.  Hist  Ecel  1.  '•'>. 
c.  3.  et  25.     Hieron.  Catal.  Script.  Eccles.  in  Petr. 

The  Judgment  of  Peter.  Puffin.  Exposit.  in  Symbol  ApottoL 
§  36.  Hieron.  Catal.  Script.  Eccles.  in  Petr. 

5  The  Preaching  of  Peter.  Heracl.apud.  Orig.  1. 14   I 
Clem.  Alex.  Strom.  1.  1.  p.   357.  1.  2.  p.  390   1.  ft  p.   635,  I 

678.  Theodot  Byzant.  in  Excerpt,  p.  899.  ad  cole.  Opp.  <  ion.  Alex. 
Lactant.  de  Ver.  Sap.  1.  4,  c.  21.  Euseb.  HvsL  Ecelee.  I  3.  0.  3.  d 
Hieron.  Catal.  Script.  Eccl.  in  Petr 

6  The  Revelation  of  Peter.     Clem.  Alex.  l,b.  Bypotypc*.  apvd. 
Euseb.  Hist,  Eccl.  1.  6.  c.  14.     Theodot.  Bt/xrnt  in  Saa  rpi    | 
807.  ad.  cole.  Opp.  Clem.  Alex.  Euseb.  lhd.  Eecl  1.  -  a 
Hieron.  Catal.  Script.  Eccl.  in  Petr. 

7.  Books  under  the  name  of  Peter.      ///»»<■■  »'■  /■    ' 
Exmper.  Tholos.  Epist.  §.7.  # 

1.  The  Acts  of  Philip.     Gelas.  m  Decret. 

2.  The  Gospel  of  Philip.     ^»/>/tan.  item.  26.  §   !•• 


The  Lost  Apocryphal  Boohs. 


The  Gospel  of  Scythianus.  Cyrill.  Catech.  VI.  §  22.  et  Epi- 
•phan.  Hozres.  66.  §  2. 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  by  Seleucus.  Hieron.  Epist.  ad 
Chromat.  et  Heliodor. 

The  Revelation  of  Stephen.     Qelas.  in  Deeret. 


The  Gospel  of  Titan.     Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl.l  4.  c.  29. 
The  Gospel  of  Thadd^eus.     Galas,  in  Deeret. 
The  Catholic  Epistle  of  Themison  the  Montanist.    Apollon.  lib. 
cont.  Cataphryg.  apud.  Euseb.  Hist.  Ecel.  1.  5.  c.  18. 

1.  The  Acts  of  Thomas.  Epiphan.  Hozres.  47.  §  1.  et  61.  §  1 
Athanas.  in  Synops.  S.  Script.  §.  76.  et  Gelas.  in  Deeret. 

2.  The  Gospel  of  Thomas.  Orig.  in  Luc.  i.  1.  Euseb.  Hist.  Eccl. 
1.  3.  c.  25.  Cyrill.  Catech.  IV.  §  36.  et  Catech.  VI.  §  31.  Ambros. 
in  Luc.  i.  1.  Athan.in  Synops.  S.  Script.  §  76.  Hieron.  Prcef.  in 
Comment,  in  Matth.    Gelas.  in  Deeret. 

4.  Books  under  the  name  of  Thomas.  Innocent  I.  Epist.  3. 
ad  Exuper.  Tholos.  Episc  §  7. 

The  Gospel  of  Truth  made  use  of  by  the  Valentinians.  Iren. 
adv.  Hceres.  1.  3.  c.  11. 

V 

The  Gospel  of  Valentinus.  Tertull.  de  Prcescript.  adv.  Ha> 
ret.  c.  49. 


272 


TABLE    II. 

A  LIST  of  the  Christian  Authors  of  the  first  four  t  '<  nturu  . 

ings  contain  Catalogues  of  the  Books  of  the  Nt      T   torn*  nL 

*#*  Those  which  also  have  Catalogues  of  the  Books  of  the  ( >M  Testament 
are  marked  thus*. 


.5  fe" 

The  Names  of  the 
Writers. 

JJ| 

The  variation  or  Agreement 
of  their  Catalogues  with 

ours  now  receive  1. 

The  Places  of  their 
Writing?,  in  which 
these    (  ataJ 

2  •*;- 
H 

are. 

I. 

A.C. 

*  Origen,  a  Pres- 

210. 

Omits   the   Epistles    of 

Comment  iii  Matt. 

byter  of  Alex- 

James and  Ju  d  e, 

apud       1 

andria,  who  em- 

though he  owns  them 

Hiet.  EccL  1.  •; 

ployed  incredi- 

both in  other  pari-  of 

c  'J-'.    Exposit. 

ble     pains     in 

his  writings. 

ill      Juan.     1.     •">. 

knowing  the 

n/iii'l          1. 

Scriptures. 

ibid. 

II. 

Eusebius    Pam- 

315. 

His    Catalogue    is   ex- 

Hist.  ]■>,!. 

philus,    whose 

actly  the  same  with 

55,  i 

writings   evi- 

the modern  one  ;  only 

drill  lib.  b.  3. 

dence    his    zeal 

he  says,  the  Epistles 

about  the  sacred 

of  James,  Judo,  the 

writings,  and 

2nd  of  Peter,  the  2nd 

his  great  care  to 

and    3rd     of    John, 

be   i n f o r m e d 

though     they     were 

which  were  gen- 

generally received, 

uine  and  which 

yet  had  been  by  Bome 

not. 

doubted  of.    A- to  tin 
Revelation,      though 
he  say-  s<unc  reject!  J 
it,  yet  lie  says  others 
received  il  ;  and  him- 
self plans  it  among 
those  which  arc  to  be 
received  without  dis- 

i 
1 

pute. 

18 

a  >i 

| 

The  Names  of  the 
Writers. 

.§  1j  -3* 

The  variation  or  Agreement 
of  their  Catalogues  with 
ours  now  received. 

The  Places  of  their    1 
Writings,  in  which    j 
these      Catalogues    1 

£'t£ 

are. 

H 

III. 

a.  a 

*Athanasius, 

315. 

The  same  perfectly  with 

Fragment.    Epkt. 

Bp.    of    Alex- 

ours now  received. 

Festal,  et  in  Sy- 

andria. 

nops.    Script  ur. 

IV. 

*  Cyril,   Bp.    of 

340. 

The    same    with    ours, 

Oatech.  IV.  §  36. 

Jerusalem. 

only  the   Revelation 
is  omitted. 

V. 

*  The  Bishops  as- 

364. 

The  Revelation  is  omit- 

Canon. LX. 

sembled  in  the 

t 

ted. 

Council  of  Lao 

N.B.— The  Canons 

dicea. 

of    this     Council 
were  not  long  af- 
terwards received 
into  the  hody  of 
the  Canons  of  the 
universal  Church 

VI. 

Epiphanius,  Bp. 

370. 

The  same  with  curs  now 

Hceres.  76,  c.  5. 

of    Salamis    in 

received. 

Cyprus. 

VII. 

Gregory    Nazi- 

375. 

Omits  the  Revelation. 

Carm.  de  veris  et 

anzen,  Bp.  of 

genuin.  Scripiur. 

Constantinople. 

VIII. 

Philastrius,  Bp. 

380. 

The  same  with  ours  now 

Lib.  de  Hceres.  87. 

of  Brixia  in  Ve- 

received;  except  that 

nice. 

he  mentions  only  thir- 
teen   of    St.    Paul's 
Epistles       ( omitting 
very     probably     the 
Epistle    to   the    He- 
brews), and  leaves  out 

the  Revelation. 

f  The  Papists  generally  place  this  Council  before  the  Council  of  Nice. 

274 


The  Names  of  the 
Writers. 


IX. 
*  Jerome. 


A.  C. 
382. 


X. 

TvUFFiN,  Pres- 
byter of  Aquile- 
gium. 

XI. 

''Austin,  Bp.  of 
Hippo  in  Africa 

XII. 

*  The     forty-four 


390. 


394. 


St. 


Bps.  assembled  j  Austin 


The  variation  or  Agreement 
of  their  CataJogu  s  with 
ours  now  recen  ed. 


The  same  with  ours, 
except  that  he  speaks 
dubiously  of  theEpist. 
to  the  Hebrews ; 
though  in  other  parts 
of  his  writings  he  re- 
ceives it  as  Canonical, 
as  hereafter  will  ap- 
pear. 

It  perfectly  agrees  with 
ours. 


It  perfectly  agrees  with 
ours. 


Writings,  in  which 

these     I 

ore. 


EP 


in  the  third 
Council  of  Car- 
thage. 

XIII. 

The  anonymous 
author  of  the 
works  under  the 
n  a  me  of  Dion  y- 
sius  the  Areo- 
pagite. 


was 
pres- 
ent 
at  it. 

390. 


It  perfectly 
ours. 


with 


It    seems    perfectly    to 
agree  with  ours  ;   for 
though  he  doth  not, 
for  good  re i son.-,  pro- 
duce the  names  of  the 
books;   yet   (  as    the 
learned    Daille 
De    Script    wpposit. 
Doings.   1.  1.  c 
he  so  clearly  d<  e 
them  as  that  he  has 
left    out    no    divine 
book,  may  be  easily 
perceived. 


de  Stud. 

Also  commonly 

prefixed 

Latin   I 


Expos,    in    v 

Aposiol 

int.  Op.  Hi'  ror. 

et       inter     <  >ji. 

( )jpr. 
De.   Doct.    ' 

I.  2,  c.  8. 


Vid.  Canon. 

XXVII. 

p.  nit. 


Lit,,  de   H' 


THE  END. 


276 


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